India, Oct. 12 -- The Indian Army on Monday launched Bharat Rice for the defence forces, an initiative based on feedback from troops and aimed at improving the quality of rations, the defence ministry said.

It also signed an MoU with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for utilisation of its infrastructure during operational contingencies at a ceremony attended by defence minister Rajnath Singh and minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution Pralhad Joshi.

"This superior quality rice will be delivered directly to army supply depots, including those in Ladakh and the North-east, instead of being collected by army depots from local FCI facilities," said an official statement.

To be sure, the Union government began selling ...