With a view to stabilizing unusual hike of food prices in the market, the government yesterday started Open Market Sale (OMS) of rice at fair price across the country.

Selling of rice under the OMS started at different shops in the city's kitchen markets from yesterday morning. Each of 12,000 dealers has been allocated 541 kilograms of rice.

Dealers said the rice allocated by the government under the OMS was exhausted by noon at most of the shops in the capital yesterday, because of less supplies compared to high demands.

The rice rationing will continue till April 18, said an official announcement.