Mee Marts To Offer 64 Essentials at Affordable Prices

Kakinada: Civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar on Friday announced that the Andhra Pradesh government would establish Mee Marts through fair price shops, stocking 64 essential commodities at affordable prices as part of its price stabilisation initiative.

Inaugurating special subsidised rice counters at Super Bazaars on Main Road and at Ramaraopeta in Kakinada, the minister said the government had launched a series of measures to shield poor and middle-class families from rising food prices.

He said recent increases in rice prices were driven by higher transportation and fuel costs linked to the ongoing Gulf conflict. Following discussions with the State Rice Millers Association, the government has begun supplying BPT steam rice at Rs 52 per kg and BPT raw rice at Rs 59 per kg, with each family eligible to purchase up to 10 kg of each variety.

Manohar said seven sales centres were already functioning in Kakinada city and more would be opened based on public demand. He also announced a pilot project in Kakinada district to supply premium-quality rice with 10 per cent broken grains, claiming it would be the first initiative of its kind in the country.

He said nearly 14,000 quintals of rice had been sold across the state within five days of launching the price stabilisation programme. The government also supplies premium-quality rice in 25-kg bags to 42,000 government schools and 4,000 welfare hostels under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

The minister said fair price shops would be upgraded into Mee Marts, where 64 essential commodities would be sold at subsidised rates. Tur dal and palm oil would also be made available through these outlets shortly.

Doorstep ration delivery would continue for senior citizens aged above 65 and persons with disabilities before the first day of every month, while other beneficiaries could collect their rations between the first and 15th of each month, he said.

Manohar added that the coalition government had procured paddy worth Rs 31,000 crore since assuming office and credited payments directly into farmers' bank accounts within 24 hours.

Kakinada Super Bazaar chairman Pesangi Adinarayana, Kakinada MLA Vanamadi Venkateswara Rao, Kakinada Rural MLA Pantham Venkateswara Rao and others were present.