Which of the following factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the recent past ? 1. Minimum Support Price 2. Government's trading 3. Government's stockpiling 4. Consumer subsidies Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Option (D) is correct because MSP sets a floor price, while government trading, stockpiling (buffer stocks), and consumer subsidies (PDS) directly manipulate supply and demand dynamics to influence market rates. Options like (a) or (b) are tempting if one overlooks the significant role of the Food Corporation of India’s procurement and storage in preventing price volatility. The core concept tested is the impact of state intervention and fiscal policies on agricultural commodity price discovery.