Ease fertilizer shortage, CM tells GoM

Hyderabad, Sep 8 (UNI) Taking serious view of the fertiliser shortage in the state, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet today directed the Group of Ministers (GoM) to take all steps to make available adequate quantity of fertilisers during the current Khariff season and take precautionary measures for the Rabi season beginning next month.

Briefing newspersons after the Cabinet Meeting here, Information Minister A Ramanarayana Reddy said Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, chairing the meeting, directed the GoM to coordinate with District Collectors to ensure swift movement of fertilisers to the districts facing the shortage.

The Cabinet also sought the Centre's approval for making it mandatory for rice millers and dealers to allow selling half a tonne of rice within the state and an equal quantity outside the state for every tonne supplied to the Government. The decision was intended to check the price of rice in the open market, he said.

The Government fixed stocks limits for them and was awaiting the Centre's concurrence for amending the Andhra Pradesh Rice Procurement (Levy) Order, he added.

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