Hans News Service Hyderabad

Evenas Telangana recorded the highest paddy production in the country, retail prices of fine rice shot up in recent days. Hoarding of rice stocks by millers and wholesalers to create artificial shortage of fine rice is putting a heavy burden on the common man. According to traders and retailers, prices have gone up by at least Rs 5 to Rs 7 per kilogram of fine rice varieties in the last 10 days.

It is said that millers hoarded two-year-old fine rice varieties. They are said to be selling them in the retail market at higher prices through wholesale dealers and retail agents. Some big traders have also reportedly hoarded those rice varieties which are in high demand to create artificial scarcity.

Nearly 60 lakh metric tonnes of fine varieties of paddy are being procured every year in the state. Another 10 lakh metric tonnes of fine quality paddy are being purchased by the millers from the farmers directly. In all, fine rice totaling 70 lakh metric tonnes, is produced in the state every year.

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.

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