Minister of Industry and Commerce , Rishad Bathiudeen had a meeting with the officials of the Consumer Affairs Authority yesterday(8) and discussed strategies to be adapted in implementing the control prices of rice gazetted. According to the gazette notification maximum retail price of a kilogram of Samba rice has been fixed at 80 rupees while a kilogram of Raw rice is fixed at 72 rupees. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced that a kilogram of Nadu rice can only be sold at a maximum retail price of 70 rupees. Above prices came into effect from 8th February 2017.
In this meeting Minister Rishad has instructed officials to have close liaison with the customs to ascertain the volume of rice imported by rice importers and monitor issues in the market . For this purpose a committee was appointed. Any importer , who hoards rice will be charged in courts. Another committee was appointed to monitor the volume of rice produced from paddy by the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) and take steps to ensure steady supply to the market .
Minister Rishad warned stern action against traders who, resort to sell rice above control prices.
Right decision taken at the right time by Rishad will ensure availability of rice at control prices in the market.
