Steps being taken to curb prices of rice, pulses: Minister Venkataramanan

Chennai: Addressing mounting public concern over recent fluctuations in the cost of essential commodities, Tamil Nadu Minister for Food and Civil Supplies P Venkataramanan on Thursday asserted that the government is actively monitoring the situation and preparing comprehensive measures to curb price inflation, particularly regarding rice and pulses.

Talking to reporters, he said that the temporary surge in rice prices is primarily driven by a seasonal reduction in inbound supply from neighboring states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. He claimed that critics (referring to opposition parties) often react to fragmented information without evaluating the broader economic context. Highlighting proactive administrative steps taken by the administration, the minister revealed that a high-level meeting of the Price Determination and Price Monitoring Committee was convened on Tuesday to formulate immediate market interventions.

“We have reviewed the supply chains for rice, wheat, sugar, and various pulses”, he said. “Concrete plans and relief measures—including subsidized distribution through ration shops and broader market stabilization schemes—have been formulated and will be officially announced within the next two to three days,” he said.

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