AP govt to ensure essential commodities at reasonable prices

Hyderabad, Jun 14 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said his government would ensure supply of essential commodities, including rice, pulses and edible oil, at reasonable prices in the market.

Speaking to District Collectors through video conferencing here, the Chief Minister said millers had agreed to supply 'A' quality rice between Rs 15 and 16 per kg and 'B' quality rice at Rs 14 per kg.

He asked them to ensure supply of the rice at these prices to the public through the ''Rythu Bazaars.'' With a record paddy production of over 190 lakh tonnes, there would be no problem in ensuring adequate supply of rice at reasonable prices, he added.

The government had already procured the required quantity of rice till September at Rs twoakilo for the poor, he said.

From next month, red gram would be supplied at Rs 30 per kg and palmoil at Rs 45, he said.

The Chief Minister also asked the District Collectors to ensure finalisation of the list of beneficiaries of the Rs 72,000 crore loan waiver scheme by June 20 and hold ''Melas'' in front of banks in the first week of July for distribution of ''no due certificate'' to farmers.

He also directed the District Collectors to suspend the implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme during the Khariff season to ensure free availability of agricultural workers for farm operations.

UNI SM DS PK AS1952