Joint Collector Noorul Qamar cautioned traders on Saturday that strict action would be taken against them if essential commodities were sold above the State average pricing. He also directed officials to intensify market surveillance to keep prices in check.
Convening the price control committee meeting at the Collectorate here, the Joint Collector reviewed wholesale and retail prices of key commodities, including rice, pulses, edible oil and sugar. He said that prices should remain stable and affordable while protecting farmers from distress caused by sudden price crashes.
Mr. Qamar informed the traders to charge only a reasonable margin over procurement costs and directed Civil Supplies, GST, Legal Metrology and Municipal officials to conduct joint inspections to detect illegal hoarding and black marketing.
The committee fixed the price of eight-month-old super-fine rice at ₹56 per kg, tur dal at ₹117 per kg, Freedom sunflower oil at ₹178 per litre and sugar at ₹57 per kg respectively.
The Joint Collector said that special rice counters have been opened at C-Camp, Venkata Ramana Colony and Kothapeta Rythu Bazaars in Kurnool and at Adoni. The eight-month-old super-fine rice is being sold at ₹52 per kg and raw rice at ₹50. Each family can purchase up to 10 kg on Aadhaar verification, he said.