HYDERABAD: Telangana's Civil Supplies Department has fixed maximum retail prices for six fine rice varieties after consumers complained of rising prices, and warned on Monday of strict action against traders who charge more.
Maximum retail prices per kg
- BPT and KNM: ₹66
- RNR and Telangana Sona: ₹74
- HMT and JSR: ₹79
The department said the market had enough stock and blamed middlemen for spreading unverified claims of shortages to push prices up. G.V. Shyam Prasad Lal, Director of Civil Supplies and Chief Rationing Officer, said retailers short of stock could bypass wholesalers by submitting indents to district civil supplies officers and buying directly from millers. Officials warned of cases for hoarding, diversion to the black market and price manipulation, and said the department was preparing to invoke the Preventive Detention Act against habitual offenders.
Inspection teams found 25 kg bags labelled as 26 kg and original MRPs covered with higher-priced stickers, officials said. In Andhra Pradesh, rice prices came up at Tuesday's cabinet meeting. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu asked ministers to work to lower them so that people do not bear the burden, and Minister Nadendla Manohar said rice was being sold at reduced prices in Rythu Bazaars.
