New Joint Collector Pravin Kumar on Wednesday opened a special counter at Seethammadhara Rythu Bazar for sale of preferred variety of Sonamasuri and BPT rice for consumers at Rs.29 a kg. after negotiations with rice millers.
Talking to media persons on the occasion, he said that three counters in Rythu Bazaars and two in Gajuwaka in the urban region and eight more in rural Visakhapatnam were being opened at places like Anakapalle, Elamanchili, Chodavaram, Tagarapuvalasa and Bheemunipatnam. More would be opened in the next few days –at least two or three in each mandal to make the rice available for consumers in accordance with a State-wide decision.
Unfortunately, the BPT variety production was less in the district, Mr. Pravin Kumar observed, and added that surplus rice from other districts would be procured for sale in Vizag. Efforts were being made to get about 11,000 tonnes of rice from Guntur through civil supplies corporations and more counters would be opened in different parts of the city, he added.
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The local rice millers associations had agreed to open special counters at their mill points in rural areas and had selected rythu bazaars in the city for sale of rice at ten kg. per family.
Replying to a question, the Joint Collector said that there was no question of compromising on quality of rice and action would be taken if any irregularity was found.