Govt plans to offer subsidized onions

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The Andhra Pradesh government is preparing to sell onions at Rs.32 a kg across the State from next week as part of efforts to shield consumers from rising prices of essential commodities, Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar said on Wednesday. Speaking to the media at the end of his two-day Delhi visit, Manohar said onions would be sold through 115 Rythu Bazaars and mobile counters across the State. The initiative follows discussions with the Union Civil Supplies Ministry and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF), he said.

 The Minister said the Centre had responded positively to supplying onions through the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) at subsidized rates. Arrangements were also being made to supply 1.20 lakh metric tonnes of subsidized tur dal and 86,400 kilolitres of palm oil through fair-price shops. These commodities would be made available to around 1.46 lakh families at prices about 30 per cent below prevailing market rates, he said.

Manohar said the State’s initiative to reduce the broken-rice content in PDS rice to 10 per cent had become a model for the country. The Centre was expected to direct all States to adopt the system from next month, he said. He also announced that 1,000 Mee Marts were being linked with NCCF to provide quality essentials at lower prices, with agreements already completed. Another 130 Mee Marts would be added subsequently.

On paddy procurement, Manohar said the Civil Supplies Department had prepared its plan for the coming Kharif season and was gearing up to procure 35-38 lakh metric tonnes of paddy. He said the government would continue its effort to ensure farmers receive procurement payments within 24 hours. The Minister attributed the recent rise in essential commodity prices to El Niño conditions and other factors, asserting that the government would continue to intervene to provide relief to consumers.