Retail and wholesale outlets in the State have been barred from stocking rice above the prescribed quantity for the next three months.
While retail outlets have been barred from stocking more than 50 quintals of rice, wholesale outlets in rural areas cannot stock more than 1,000 quintals. Wholesale outlets in urban areas are allowed to stock up to 2,000 quintals of rice, said Food and Civil Supplies Minister U.T. Khader.
Mr. Khader told reporters here on Wednesday that this action was taken to prevent hoarding of rice, which was resulting in spiralling of its prices. The government wanted rice to be available in the market. Traders, including those operating in malls, had been told to follow this rule strictly. “If we find rice stocked in excess to what is prescribed, it will be seized and legal action initiated against the trader,” he said.
Traders have been told to sell toor, edible oil and sugar at “reasonable” rates. Mr. Khader said he visited stores in some malls in Bengaluru where toor was being sold at Rs. 300 a kg.
Following discussion with traders and members of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the State government had fixed the price of toor at Rs. 130 a kg. Traders could sell toor at Rs. 145 a kg and not above that for the next three months when fresh stock would be available, he said.
These actions had been taken in the light of directions from the Union government to the State governments to initiate measures to control the spiralling prices of rice, dal and edible oil.
Toor for Rs. 135 a kg
Mr. Khader said there would be sale of toor, sugar and edible oil in Bengaluru and other parts of the State for three months starting from July 8 through different outlets. The sale would be at Yeshwantpur APMC and 49 other centres in Bengaluru while it would be held at 200 places across the State. Toor would be sold at Rs. 135 a kg, while the prices of sugar and edible oil were being worked out, he said.
Retail outlets barred from stocking more than 50 quintals of rice
Wholesale outlets in urban areas are allowed to stock up to 2,000 quintals
Toor, sugar and edible oil to be sold through different
outlets for three months from July 8
