AP CM Orders Affordable Rice and Essential Supplies Ahead of Deepavali
Dharani rice to be sold at lower prices through mobile vehicles, essential commodities to reach consumers via ration shops, and onion supplies to be monitored to curb price rises.
Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to take necessary measures to reduce the prices of essential commodities.
During a review meeting with officials of Civil Supplies Department today the Chief Minister directed officials to make essential commodities such as rice, tur dal, palm oil and wheat flour available at lower prices.The Chief Minister instructed officials to expand the sale of Dharani brand super fine rice beyond Rythu Bazaars to municipalities and mandal headquarters. He also directed them to make the rice available to consumers through mobile vehicles. Fine and super fine rice should be sold at Rs 49 and Rs 50 per kg, respectively.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that discussions were underway with rice millers and wholesale associations to control rice prices in the open market. Representatives of the associations had agreed to reduce prices and make different varieties of rice more affordable. Millers agreed to sell BPT steam rice at ₹66 per kg and regular steam rice at no more than ₹47 per kg.The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that quality rice was available at affordable prices through the Dharani brand while also keeping the prices of other varieties under control. He called for enhanced surveillance at inter-state border check posts and toll gates to prevent the illegal transportation of paddy to neighbouring states. He also asked officials to examine the possibility of reducing the market cess burden on paddy and rice.
The Chief Minister directed officials to supply one kg of tur dal per month to ration cardholders through the Public Distribution System at ₹100 per kg.With tur dal currently selling at ₹170–₹200 per kg in the market, he stressed the need for government intervention to ease the burden on consumers. The Chief Minister also directed officials to make palm oil available through ration depots at ₹125 per litre. Similarly, wheat flour should be supplied through ration shops at ₹25 per kg. The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that tur dal, palm oil and wheat flour are made available through ration shops before the Deepavali festival.
The Chief Minister enquired about the steps being taken to control onion prices. Officials informed him that onions were already being sold at ₹35 per kg at Rythu Bazaars under the Market Intervention Scheme.They said another 800 metric tonnes of onions would be procured and made available to consumers in the coming days. The arrival of fresh onion produce from the Kurnool region in the coming period is also expected to improve supply and bring down prices.The Chief Minister directed officials to continuously monitor onion supplies and ensure relief for consumers affected by rising prices.He emphasised the need for constant monitoring of essential commodity prices and appropriate government intervention wherever required, depending on market conditions.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that the measures being taken to control prices would cost the government approximately ₹100 crore per month. Responding to this, the Chief Minister said that providing relief to people from rising prices must remain a priority, even if it is an additional financial burden on the government.