Naidu orders subsidised sale of essential commodities through ration shops

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to ensure that essential commodities, including rice, pulses, edible oil, wheat flour and onions, are available to consumers at affordable prices.

During a review meeting on the prices and supply of essential commodities on Tuesday, the Chief Minister instructed officials to strengthen the supply network, expand subsidised sales and ensure that government interventions directly benefited consumers.

Mr. Naidu directed officials to extend the sale of Dharani brand super fine rice beyond Rythu Bazaars to municipalities and mandal headquarters. The rice should also be made available through mobile vehicles to improve accessibility. Fine rice and super fine rice should be sold at ₹49 and ₹50 a kg, respectively.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that rice millers and wholesale traders had agreed to keep the prices of certain varieties under control following discussions initiated by the government. BPT steam rice would be sold at a maximum price of ₹66 a kg, while ordinary steam rice would be priced at ₹47 a kg.

The Chief Minister called for stepped-up surveillance at inter-State border checkposts and toll gates to prevent the illegal transportation of paddy to neighbouring States. He also asked officials to examine measures to reduce the burden of market cess on paddy and rice.

Mr. Naidu directed the Civil Supplies Department to make toor dal, palm oil and wheat flour available through ration shops by Deepavali to provide relief to consumers amid rising prices.

He instructed officials to supply one kg of toor dal a month to each ration cardholder at ₹100 through the public distribution system. With toor dal selling at ₹170 to ₹200 a kg in the open market, he stressed the need for government intervention to ease the burden on households. Officials were asked to secure the necessary assistance from the Centre and expedite procurement and distribution arrangements.

Mr. Naidu also directed officials to supply palm oil through ration shops at ₹125 a litre and initiate procurement through tenders to ensure adequate availability at the proposed price.

Wheat flour should be supplied through ration shops at ₹25 a kg, he said, instructing officials to complete all arrangements to make the three commodities available to beneficiaries before Deepavali.

Reviewing onion prices, officials informed the Chief Minister that onions were being sold at ₹35 a kg through Rythu Bazaars under the Market Intervention Scheme. Another 800 metric tonnes of onions would be procured and supplied to consumers, they said.

Prices were expected to ease further with fresh arrivals from the Kurnool region, which would improve availability in the market.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that the measures to control prices would impose an additional financial burden of around ₹100 crore a month on the government. Mr. Naidu said the government was prepared to bear the expenditure to protect consumers from rising prices.

He directed officials to strengthen the supply chain and ensure the availability of quality essential commodities at reasonable prices.

Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad, Civil Supplies Department Secretary Kannababu and senior officials from various departments attended the meeting.