Hans News Service Vijayawada

CivilSupplies Minister Nadendla Manohar on Wednesday launched a subsidised onion sale programme at Rythu Bazaar here, under which onions will be sold at Rs 35 a kg with the support of the Centre and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF).

Speaking on the occasion, Manohar said rising prices in the open market were not confined to Andhra Pradesh, attributing the trend to global factors, including the impact of wars, the oil crisis and El Niño. He said the coalition government was closely monitoring market prices and taking measures to keep essential commodities affordable.

The Minister said the government had already started selling BPT super-fine rice at Rs 48 and Rs 52 a kg through 400 special counters after noticing an increase in rice prices. As onion prices crossed Rs 70 a kg in the open market, subsidised onions would be made available at all 115 Rythu Bazaars across the state. Each consumer would be entitled to two kg of onions on production of Aadhaar.

Manohar said efforts were also being made to supply red gram and palm oil at subsidised prices through ration shops. The Centre had agreed to supply 1.20 lakh metric tonnes of red gram to AP.

The Minister said there was no shortage of rice in the country and adequate stocks were available for the next three years. He appealed to people not to believe rumours circulating on social media about rice shortages.

He said the State had set a target of procuring 37 lakh metric tonnes of paddy during the coming kharif season, with scope for revision depending on future conditions. Vigilance had also been intensified against attempts to divert foodgrains and essential commodities to the black market by citing El Niño.

Manohar said some quality issues were noticed in the first consignment of onions and the stock would be graded before sale. Measures would be taken to ensure better quality in subsequent consignments.

Vijayawada East MLA Gadde Rammohan Rao and Civil Supplies Commissioner Kanna Babu were also present.