Government Warns Rice Millers: Artificial Scarcity Will Not Be Tolerated

The Telangana government has stepped up measures to prevent a sharp rise in rice prices and ensure that the staple remains affordable for the public. Acting on the directions of Civil Supplies Department Commissioner M. Stephen Raveendra, IPS, a high-level meeting was held at Civil Supplies Bhavan in Hyderabad. The meeting was chaired by Civil Supplies Department Director G. V. Shyam Prasad Lal and attended by prominent rice millers and wholesale traders from Miryalaguda, Nizamabad and Nalgonda. Officials instructed traders to ensure adequate availability of rice in the market and keep consumer prices under control.

Officials pointed out that the rice currently available in the market belongs to the previous season and warned traders against unjustified price increases. They cautioned that creating artificial scarcity or illegally hoarding rice in warehouses would invite strict legal action. The government made it clear that it would not tolerate practices that place an additional financial burden on ordinary consumers. Millers were urged to cooperate with the authorities and maintain reasonable prices. Officials also stated that the government may open special rice sale counters if necessary and directed traders to ensure an uninterrupted supply to these counters. The Civil Supplies Department said it would continue monitoring market conditions and take measures to protect consumers’ interests.