Price of old fine rice hits the roof in Mancherial district

Price of old fine rice hits the roof in Mancherial district
x
Highlights

Price of old fine rice across Mancherial district has virtually hit the roof with a rise of Rs 200 a quintal, thus making it beyond the reach of common man. 

Luxettipet: Price of old fine rice across Mancherial district has virtually hit the roof with a rise of Rs 200 a quintal, thus making it beyond the reach of common man.

An estimated 3,000 tonnes of fine rice is being sold on daily basis in the district. There are 80 rice shops and at least 30 rice millers. These shops sell at least five to 10 quintals of rice a day. Each shop-keeper earns an additional Rs 200 to Rs 500 per quintal, thus making a clean profit.

Paddy crop was raised in 80,937 acres during Kharif, thanks to favourable monsoon. Over 60 per cent of it includes fine varieties like Jai Sriram, HMT, BPT, Akshay, with each acre yielding 22-25 quintals. The earlier price was Rs 1,750 a quintal.

Big traders would buy directly from farmers to an extent of 80 per cent. After milling the paddy and transportation, they would sell at Rs 3,000 a quintal. Even this price was profitable for them but, after allegedly colluding with millers, the traders have increased the price.

This is mainly because of the machinations of traders, with officials looking on helplessly. Even the middle classes are affected by the hike, as it imposes an additional burden on their purse strings. Traders, who were not able to decide the price, are now doing so with the millers in their firm grip, allegedly after forming a syndicate.

10 days ago, Jai Sriram variety was sold at Rs 3,400 a quintal. Now the price has gone up to Rs 3,600 to Rs 3,700. The price of HMT variety is up from Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,200 to Rs 3,300. The old Jai Sriram variety was sold at Rs 4,800 a quintal till the day before yesterday. It is being sold for Rs 5,500 to Rs 5,600 now. The price of HMT variety has gone up from Rs 4,300 to over Rs 4,500. By resorting to a slow price hike the traders are making a killing.

People used to consuming fine rice are now forced to purchase it a higher rate, though they can’t afford. While speaking to The Hans India, some buyers allege that the officials concerned were adopting an indifferent attitude towards the price rise of fine rice.

They recall that whenever there was a price increase in the past the government had set up sales centres for the benefit of the common man. These centres helped in controlling the prices. The consumers want the department at least now to concentrate on checking the price hike.

Show Full Article
Print Article
Next Story
More Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENTS