Govt warns rice millers against hoarding, unjustified price hikes

Hyderabad : Civil supplies commissioner M Stephen Raveendra on Wednesday warned rice millers and wholesale traders against unjustified price hikes, hoarding and the creation of artificial scarcity, saying the govt would take stringent legal action against violators. Acting on the commissioner’s directions, civil supplies director GV Shyam Prasad Lal chaired a meeting with rice millers and wholesale traders from Miryalguda, Nizamabad and Nalgonda at the Civil Supplies Bhavan.

Officials instructed traders and millers to maintain price stability and ensure the uninterrupted supply of rice in the market. They noted that the rice stocks currently available were entirely from the previous agricultural season and said there was no justification for abnormal increases in prices.

The department made it clear that artificial scarcity and illegal hoarding would not be tolerated and warned that strict action would be initiated against those indulging in such practices. Officials also sought the cooperation of millers and traders in the govt’s efforts to stabilise rice prices and protect consumers.

They asked traders to ensure adequate availability of stocks if the govt decides to open special distribution counters to regulate prices and provide relief to the public.