Date:17/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/17/stories/2008101754530400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

‘Superfine rice price has dropped’

Special Correspondent

Fall attributed to market intervention by the Civil Supplies Department

Sona Masoori/ BPT available for Rs. 23 a kg
Price expected to fall further in next few days

HYDERABAD: The Government has claimed that the price of superfine variety of rice (Sona Masoori/ BPT), which is preferred by most consumers, had fallen in the open market by Rs 4 a kg in the State.

This variety is now available at Rs. 23 a kg and the price is expected to fall further in the next few days due to the market intervention by the Civil Supplies Department. To ensure quicker results, every lorry bound for other States is being checked at border points. From Friday, a toll-free phone (18004252977) will be activated to enable people to alert the Government if they come across cases of hoarding, Civil Supplies Minister Kasu Venkatakrishna Reddy said at a press conference here on Thursday.

Denies shortage

He denied that there was a shortage of superfine rice and offered to supply any quantity to wholesalers at Rs 22 a kg for sale to consumers.

He said superfine, fine and common varieties of rice, however, were being sold at Rs 18, Rs 16 and Rs 14 per kg, respectively, at 1,648 special counters at rice mills, traders points, fair price shops, and retailers. Till now, 1.62 lakh quintals had been sold to consumers. Mr Reddy claimed that the prices of essential commodities in the State were on a downward trend.