Officials roll out subsidised rice sales to combat price surge
To effectively check soaring retail rice prices as part of the State government’s intervention, the officials have rolled out a subsidised rice distribution programme across Chittoor, Annamayya and Sri Sathya Sai districts. Effective from Saturday (August 1), the initiative is intended to provide quality rice varieties at rates lower than those prevailing in the open market. Officials said it would seek to provide immediate relief to ration card holders grappling with rising household expenses amid sharp increases in retail rice prices. Chittoor district Joint Collector Adarsh Rajendran said the government had established special sale counters at designated supermarkets and Rythu Bazaars in every Assembly constituency to ensure easy access to reasonably priced rice. “We expect that the move will increase competition in the retail market and discourage excessive pricing,” he said. Under the scheme, Super Fine Steam (BPT) rice, which sells for around ₹62 per kilogram in the open market, will be offered at ₹52 per kilogram. Grade-I Raw BPT rice, retailing at about ₹58 a kilogram, will be available for ₹50 through the special …
