Continued from P1

State Civil Supplies Department officials said that the demand for fine rice was increasing in view of the purchase by all sections from lower middle classes to the rich communities for their daily food requirements. Sonamasuri variety from Kurnool, Nizamabad, Bapatla and Karimnagar is in high demand.

Considering the fine rice as a staple and nutritious food, the government is also supplying it to the poorer sections through the Public Distribution System (PDS) at highly subsidized prices every month.

Incidentally, the demand for fine rice has gone up in the state ever since the state government launched the fine rice distribution scheme for white ration card holders. Millers and wholesale dealers are exploiting market demand by hoarding the stocks and creating artificial shortages. As a result, prices are going up as adequate stocks are not available in the open market.

Bhansal, owner of Adarsh retail shop in Kothapet in Hyderabad, told The Hans India that sales of fine rice increased by at least 40 per cent in the last one year. The wholesalers are supplying only a limited quantity of fine rice to the retailers even though demand has gone up phenomenally. “The available stocks of two-year-old fine rice, which is in high demand, are enough to meet the market requirements. It could be the main reason for rising prices at regular intervals,” he said.