Andhra Pradesh CM orders subsidized sale of essential goods

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to provide essential commodities at subsidized prices to offer relief to consumers ahead of the Diwali festival. During a review meeting with Civil Supplies Department officials, the Chief Minister ordered the expansion of Dharani brand rice sales to municipalities and mandal headquarters, including the use of mobile vehicles to increase accessibility.

Specific pricing measures include selling fine rice at Rs 49 per kg and super fine rice at Rs 50 per kg. To combat high market costs, officials are coordinating with rice millers and wholesale traders; millers have agreed to cap BPT steam rice at Rs 66 per kg and regular steam rice at Rs 47 per kg.

Additional directives include supplying one kg of tur dal per month to ration cardholders via the Public Distribution System at Rs 100 per kg, significantly lower than the market rate of Rs 170 to Rs 200. Palm oil is to be made available through ration depots at Rs 125 per litre, and wheat flour at Rs 25 per kg. The Chief Minister also called for increased surveillance at inter-state borders to prevent illegal paddy transportation and requested an examination of reducing the market cess on rice.