Hyderabad, Jan 27 The Andhra Pradesh Government has said that it would consider importing of some agricultural commodities, if need be.
Faced with criticism from several quarters on the steep increase in the prices of commodities, the Government said it would take a call should there be a problem.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr Jupalli Krishna Rao, Minister for Civil Supplies, said that the Government had registered about 3,000 cases against traders and dealers in the financial year so far and collected Rs 215 crore in penalties.
Stating that the increase in prices was due to the huge demand-supply gap, he said the Government reduced the stock limits further to check hoarding by traders, retailers and distributors.
The Government also imposed restrictions on the movement of certain varieties of paddy and raw rice.
He said the Government had brought millers and traders in rice, pulses, edible oilseeds, edible oils and sugar under licensing system and imposedstrict stock limits.
“We have set up special teams to inspect the premises of traders and mills. If excess stocks are found, they would be seized and released in the open market immediately to improve availability,” he said.
Source : Business Line