Officials pointed out that prices of tur dal have come down by 13 per cent, groundnut by four per cent and chillies by four per cent when compared to last year
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh government has expressed its intent to promote cultivation and use of millets like jonnalu and ragulu under the AP Millet Mission and other schemes in a big way.
A group of ministers (GoM), led by civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar, which met in this regard on Thursday, suggested that millets be included in the menu of mid-day meals and other welfare schemes in the state.
Finance minister Payyavula Keshav, agriculture minister K. Atchannaidu and health minister Satya Kumar Yadav participated in the meeting. The ministers had met to take stock of the rising prices of essential commodities.
The GoM resolved to keep a close tab on prices of essential commodities and to promote millets as part of controlling inflation. The group observed that the inflation rate in AP had been 4.34 per cent in December 2024, which is less when compared to the national average of 5.22 per cent.
Officials informed the GoM that government agencies collect prices of 69 essential commodities, including pulses, vegetables, cooking oils and spices in the 154 mandal headquarters daily. They also collect data related to these commodities from the 151 Rythu Bazars. These prices are compared with the respective prices prevalent last year to decide on the inflation rate.
Officials pointed out that prices of tur dal have come down by 13 per cent, groundnut by four per cent and chillies by four per cent when compared to last year.
The GoM directed officials to take steps to control transport cost of various essentials. This is one of the reasons for the rise in prices of essential commodities, the ministers underlined.
