Harish Rao demands immediate steps to curb soaring rice prices

BRS Legislature Party deputy leader T Harish Rao has demanded immediate measures to control rising rice and essential commodity prices in Telangana. He alleged a 25 per cent increase in fine rice prices and sought action against hoarding and black marketing

Hyderabad: BRS Legislature Party deputy leader T Harish Rao on Monday demanded immediate steps to check the rise in prices of rice and other essential commodities in Telangana. He also urged the State government to crack down on black marketing, hoarding and excessive profit margins, and take action against those responsible.

In a statement, Harish Rao alleged that prices of fine rice had increased by 25 per cent in four months, placing an additional burden on households. He questioned the rise in prices despite the government’s claims of record crop production.

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He also questioned the effectiveness of the State’s fine rice scheme, saying the continued increase in market prices indicated that consumers were not opting for the rice supplied under the scheme.

Harish Rao further alleged that farmers were receiving only nominal prices under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system, while middlemen were making more than Rs 8,000 a quintal.

“The farmer is not getting a remunerative price and the consumer an affordable price, while middlemen are profiting,” he said.

He pointed to the prices of other essential commodities, saying onions were being sold at Rs 70 a kg, garlic at Rs 240, groundnut oil at Rs 210, green gram at Rs 125 and red gram at Rs 165.

Harish Rao urged the Centre and the State government to take immediate steps to bring down the prices of essential commodities.