The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : ‘Keep watch on traders to check prices’

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Wednesday, May 06, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

‘Keep watch on traders to check prices’

Special Correspondent

YSR for stern action against hoarders

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has asked the Civil Supplies and Enforcement officials to keep a watch on traders so that they would not exploit the post-poll situation by increasing the prices of essential commodities.

Reviewing the Civil Supplies Department’s performance from his holiday resort in Shimla on Tuesday, he asked the officials to daily monitor the open market prices and take stringent action against hoarders and black-marketeers.

Going by the preference of some families for superfine rice, Dr. Reddy instructed the Andhra Pradesh Civil Supplies Corporation to continue purchase of this variety from millers at Rs. 18.25 a kg, as agreed upon earlier, and sell it in retail to consumers at Rs. 20 a kg through special counters.

He noted that of the target of 84,750 tonnes of superfine rice to be delivered by millers, 8,237 tonnes had been received by the corporation. He asked the Collectors to hold discussions with millers to open special counters.

Dr. Reddy said there was no need for consumers to worry because a ready stock of 4,000 tonnes of this quality rice was available with the corporation, including about 1,000 tonnes seized from hoarders.

Bumper harvest

He wanted constant vigil maintained on border check posts to prevent movement of superfine rice to other States. However, boiled rice could be exported. There should be no shortage of foodgrains and pulses in the State, as there was bumper harvest, he said

Officials told him that the price quality superfine rice fell slightly but that of superfine average quality and common variety rice registered a rise.

Referring to the Rs.5 a kg price hike of red gram, the Chief Minister asked the Managing Director of Civil Supplies Corporation to procure it for supply to the below poverty line (BPL) families at Rs. 30 a kg each month.

He directed officials to procure additional palm oil for sale at subsidised price of Rs. 35 a kg.

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Andhra Pradesh