Andhra Pradesh Moves To Rein In Essential Commodity Prices, Offers Relief To Consumers

The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to intensify market intervention to check rising prices of essential commodities and provide relief to consumers. The state Cabinet sub-committee has directed officials to take immediate measures to regulate the prices of onions, tur dal and palm oil, while ensuring adequate availability of essential supplies.

The sub-committee, comprising Civil Supplies Minister N. Manohar, Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu and Finance Minister P. Keshav, reviewed the prices, stocks and supply position of essential commodities at a meeting on Thursday. Officials were asked to coordinate with the Centre to procure adequate quantities and prevent supply shortages from putting additional pressure on consumers.

As part of the measures, the government has decided to make onions available to consumers at Rs 35 per kg. The Civil Supplies Department has been instructed to coordinate with the National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) to secure onion stocks allocated to the state by the Centre and distribute them across Andhra Pradesh.

The government has also decided to intervene in the tur dal market amid rising prices. Officials have been asked to approach the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs for the allocation of 1.2 lakh tonnes of tur dal. The procured pulses will be processed and sold through Rythu Bazaars and special counters at affordable prices.

Measures are also being planned to prevent a further rise in palm oil prices. Officials have been directed to assess market conditions and explore procurement through NCCF. The state will coordinate with the federation to obtain the required quantities and make palm oil available to consumers at subsidised prices, wherever necessary.

The government is also continuing its market intervention programme for rice. Rice is currently being sold through Rythu Bazaars and 651 special counters across the state. Officials said around 10,163 quintals of rice have been sold so far, benefiting nearly one lakh consumers.

To meet demand for the popular Kurnool-Nellore Masuri (KNM) variety, the committee has directed officials to procure 10,000 metric tonnes from rice millers in Nellore district. The rice will be sold through special counters at affordable rates, while efforts will also be made to increase supplies in the open market to ease price pressures.

The sub-committee has instructed officials to continuously monitor prices, stocks and supply chains of essential commodities. Departments have been asked to coordinate closely to prevent artificial shortages and ensure that essential food items remain available to the public at reasonable prices.