Centre and Andhra Pradesh Step Up Action to Curb Rice Hoarding, Black Marketing and Price Rise

The Central and state governments have stepped up measures to control rising rice prices, prevent illegal stockpiling and curb black marketing. While the Centre has intensified monitoring of paddy and rice stocks, the Andhra Pradesh government is taking stricter steps to regulate prices and protect consumers from excessive financial burdens. The Union Ministry of Food has directed traders and rice millers to disclose details of their available rice stocks every Friday. The move is aimed at improving transparency in the supply chain and identifying cases of hoarding and irregularities in stock management.

Meanwhile, the Centre has permitted five states, including Andhra Pradesh, to impose stock limits on rice and paddy to prevent excessive accumulation and artificial price hikes. In another key decision, the Andhra Pradesh Civil Supplies Department has clarified that the newly fixed prices announced by the state government will also apply to old rice stocks held by rice millers and traders. The coalition government is preparing to take action against those who violate the Centre's and state's directives. These measures are intended to curb hoarding, ensure fair market practices and prevent consumers from paying higher prices for rice.