AP Govt mulls supply of commodities to APL via PDS

Hyderabad, Aug 27 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Minister for Food and Civil Supplies K V Krishna Reddy said the State government was considering distribution of essential commodities through Public Distribution System (PDS) to Above Poverty Line (APL) cardholders.

Replying to a question from Mr D Rami Reddy(TDP) during Question Hour, he said wheat was being supplied to them at Rs seven per kg.

To another question by TDP Members Revanth Reddy and D Veerabhadra Rao, the Minister admitted the prices of essential commodities had shot up recently and the government had taken steps to control them.

He said the prices increased due to hike in the minimum support price for certain commodities like paddy and pulses, prices of petroleum products and demand from neighbouring countries.

Giving details of the steps taken to control prices, he said the government had regulated the sale of levy-free rice by millers at a ratio of 2:1 within and outside the State to ensure adequate rice stock in the market for sale at affordable prices.

The AP Scheduled Commodities Dealers (Licensing, Storage and Regulation) Order 2008 had been issued in respect of rice, wheat, pulses, edible oils and edible oil-seeds to regulate stock limits.

He added border checkposts were strengthened to restrict the unauthorised movement of paddy, rice and other essential commodities.

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