Rosaiah asks officials to keep food prices under check

Chief minister K Rosaiah on Sunday directed civil supplies, vigilance and enforcement, and agriculture and marketing departments to step in immediately to keep the prices of essential commodities under control.

“There are reports that certain elements are taking undue advantage of the prevailing situation in the state and jacking up prices of essential commodities without any rhyme or reason,” Rosaiah said.

The chief minister said in a release that though there was no shortage of essential commodities including rice, wheat, pulses and oil, the prices were reportedly ruling high in certain areas.

“Political situation and agitations in the state cannot be taken as an excuse. It has nothing to do with prices of essential commodities. If some of the unscrupulous traders think that they can take advantage of this and exploit the situation by creating artificial shortage and jack up prices, stringent action will be taken against them,” he said.

The chief minister directed the vigilance and enforcement department to identify black-marketeers and hoarders and see that the stocks were brought to the markets.

He also asked the civil supplies and marketing department to swing into action immediately and initiate market intervention to sell essential commodities like onion, pulses, palm oil, chillies and superfine rice at affordable prices at rythu bazaars and civil supplies counters throughout the state.

“The departments should also ensure that these goods are made available in sufficient quantities at the designated counters and rythu bazaars,” the chief minister said.