Rice prices: Govt warns middlemen, hoarders against exploiting situation

Hyderabad: The State Government on Monday warned middlemen and traders against creating artificial scarcity of rice, hoarding stocks and resorting to unjustified price hikes, stating that strict action will be taken against those involved in market manipulation. The Civil Supplies Department is intensifying inspections and enforcing prescribed retail price limits to protect consumers from exploitation.

Director of Civil Supplies and Chief Rationing Officer (CRO) GV Shyam Prasad Lal urged retailers not to panic over rumours of rice shortages or increase prices under pressure from middlemen. He said unverified claims of stock shortages were being circulated to create artificial scarcity and push up prices.

Advising retailers facing stock shortages to avoid depending on wholesalers and intermediaries, he suggested that they approach their respective District Civil Supplies Officers (DCSOs), submit their stock requirements (indents) and procure rice directly from millers.

The government has warned that those involved in illegal hoarding, diversion of stocks to the black market and artificial price escalation will face stringent legal action. The department is also considering invoking the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against habitual offenders.

Inspection teams have been identifying irregularities, including selling 25-kg rice bags with misleading 26-kg labels and concealing original Maximum Retail Price (MRP) details with fake, higher-priced stickers. Officials said such violations were being dealt with strictly to prevent consumers from being cheated.

Meanwhile, the Civil Supplies Department reiterated the maximum retail prices prescribed for major rice varieties. BPT and KNM varieties must not be sold above Rs 66 per kg, while RNR and Telangana Sona are capped at Rs 74 per kg. The maximum retail price for HMT and JSR varieties has been fixed at Rs 79 per kg.

The department said it would continue field inspections and enforcement measures to prevent hoarding, price manipulation and unfair trade practices, while ensuring the availability of rice at affordable prices across the state.

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Venkateshwarlu Kolishetty

Venkateshwarlu Kolishetty