A Sigh of Relief, Say People After Dal and Rice Made Available at Subsidised Prices at Special Counters

Vijayawada: The special counters set up at rythu bazaars to sell toor dal and rice at subsidised prices lower than the retail market rates are being widely utilised by the public.

“It is a relief for all of us as the government is providing toor dal at a reduced price, which is an essential commodity used in the preparation of dal curry and eaten commonly by all households. I have bought a kg of toor dal for `150 per kg at the special counter set up at the Krishna Lanka rythu bazaar,” said Narasimha Rao of Tadepalli.

With toor dal being sold at `181 per kg in the retail market, along with increased rice and steamed rice prices, the state government has initiated measures to sell toor dal at `150 per kg, steamed BPT/Sona Masoori variety rice at `48 and regular variety BPT rice at `47 per kg through the special counters set up at rythu bazaars and supermarkets like Ushodaya, Metro, Reliance and DMart stores.

“Although the move is aimed at bringing down the prices of the commodities and making them available for the common man, only one toor dal packet is sold to an individual at the special counters,” another customer, Kamalakar, said.

Meanwhile, some customers at the rythu bazaars said they are unaware of the provision that the special counters have been set up to sell toor dal and rice at subsidised prices.

“I have read that the government will be selling dal and rice at subsidised rates but am unaware of the date from which they will be sold,” said Purushottam of Governorpet, who came to purchase vegetables at Krishna Lanka rythu bazaar.

“We are selling only one kg toor dal packet and giving five kg rice to customers to curb black marketing. Also, the special counters run directly by the millers will be operated till the prices in the retail markets decrease,” said John Victor, estate officer of Krishna Lanka rythu bazaar.