3 weeks ago
Andhra Pradesh to Open Mee Marts Stocking 64 Essential Commodities
The government of Andhra Pradesh wants to make sure everyone can buy food even when prices go up.
Rice prices rose because moving food around became more expensive, partly because of a conflict in the Gulf.
The government is now selling rice at lower prices in special shops called Super Bazaars in Kakinada.
It is also turning regular fair price shops into 'Mee Marts' that will sell 64 everyday items at cheaper prices.
Each family can buy up to 10 kg of two kinds of rice at these low prices.
In just five days, the government sold nearly 14,000 quintals of rice across the state.
Schools and welfare hostels get rice bags for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
Elderly people above 65 and persons with disabilities get their rations delivered to their doorsteps.
Farmers also get paid quickly, within 24 hours, for the paddy they sell to the government.
Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar inaugurated subsidised rice counters at Super Bazaars on Main Road and Ramaraopeta in Kakinada.
The Andhra Pradesh government will upgrade fair price shops into Mee Marts stocking 64 essential commodities at affordable prices.
BPT steam rice is being sold at Rs 52 per kg and BPT raw rice at Rs 59 per kg, with each family eligible to buy up to 10 kg of each variety.
Nearly 14,000 quintals of rice were sold across the state within five days of launching the price stabilisation programme.
Premium rice in 25-kg bags is supplied to 42,000 government schools and 4,000 welfare hostels under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
The minister said the coalition government has procured paddy worth Rs 31,000 crore and credited payments to farmers within 24 hours.
- Who
- Andhra Pradesh Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar, joined by Kakinada Super Bazaar chairman Pesangi Adinarayana, Kakinada MLA Vanamadi Venkateswara Rao and Kakinada Rural MLA Pantham Venkateswara Rao.
- What
- The government will convert fair price shops into Mee Marts stocking 64 essential commodities, and subsidised rice counters were opened at Super Bazaars in Kakinada.
- Where
- Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India.
- When
- Friday; nearly 14,000 quintals of rice had been sold statewide within five days of the programme's launch.
- Why
- To shield poor and middle-class families from rising food prices driven by higher transportation and fuel costs linked to the ongoing Gulf conflict.
Key facts
- Mee Mart essentials
- 64 commodities at subsidised rates
- BPT steam rice price
- Rs 52 per kg
- BPT raw rice price
- Rs 59 per kg
- Per-family purchase limit
- 10 kg each of steam and raw rice
- Rice sold in first five days
- Nearly 14,000 quintals
- Paddy procurement value
- Rs 31,000 crore, payments within 24 hours
- Mid-Day Meal rice supply
- 25-kg bags to 42,000 schools and 4,000 welfare hostels
- Doorstep ration delivery
- Senior citizens above 65 and persons with disabilities
Sources
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