Date:07/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/07/stories/2008100760290600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Only 5 kg superfine rice for buyers, says Rosaiah

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Finance Minister K. Rosaiah, who the heads Group of Ministers (GoM) on prices of essential commodities, has ruled out sale of “unlimited quantity” of superfine rice to families at the special counters opened by the Government and rice-millers/dealers and made it clear that only five kg will be allowed at a time.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the GoM here on Monday, he clarified that irrespective of ration cards, superfine, fine and common varieties of rice were being sold at the special counters for Rs. 18, Rs.16 and Rs. 14 a kg respectively, but most families opted only superfine rice. He said superfine rice was available in limited quantity in the State as this variety of paddy was sown only in a few districts. The State accounted for only 7 lakh tonnes of “superfine” paddy at present. Mr. Rosaiah said only 20 kg of fine variety rice would be allowed to a family.

The meeting, which was attended by Ministers K. Venkatakrishna Reddy (Civil Supplies), K. Ramakrishna (Commercial Taxes) and B. Satyanarayana (Housing).