Hyderabad: Marketing Minister T Harish Rao today stated that the government will make alternative arrangements for selling onions at Rs 20 per kg from August 5.
Along with ministers Jupally Krishna Rao and Dr C Lakshma Reddy, Harish Rao held a video conference with district Collectors, Joint Collectors and officials of municipalities and Marketing departments at Secretariat here on Monday. Harish said the government has decided to sell subsidized onions to the people at rythu bazaars, districts and revenue divisions. Three teams are on the job to purchase adequate stocks from Nasik, Kurnool and Malakpet markets.
The meeting assumes significance as the people are seething with anger over the government’s failure to control onion prices escalating beyond the limit. Hinting at taking stringent action against the hoarders and black marketers, Harish asked the officials to keep a tab on such activities.
“District administration should plunge into direct action to see that the people purchase the essential commodity just for Rs 20 per kg only and not more than that. Marketing and municipal officials will work under the district administration to implement this key decision, Harish stated. Stressing the need for providing adequate stocks of onions at Ryothu Bazars, he said the estate officers should cross check the quality and quantity.
He also asked them to take immediate steps to check onions for better quality and measure weight properly while downloading at the markets and sell the same to the people, he added. He also directed that the estate officers should see that the details of stocks available and sold and others be displayed for the public convenience besides using pamphlets, posters on the premises, he added. (NSS)