Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Panel Steps In to Check Onion, Tur Dal, Palm Oil Prices

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet sub-committee on essential commodities has announced a set of immediate measures to rein in rising prices of key kitchen staples. The decisions, taken at a meeting on Thursday, aim to provide relief to consumers through market intervention.

A major step is the decision to sell onions at a fixed price of ₹35 per kilogram. The committee will approach the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation (NCCF) to secure onion stocks for the state, ensuring availability at the subsidised rate.

To tackle the rising cost of tur dal, the state will request the Union Department of Consumer Affairs to allocate 1.20 lakh metric tonnes of tur. Once received, the stock will be processed and sold at affordable prices through Rythu Bazaars and special counters.

In addition, the panel has directed officials to explore the procurement of palm oil through the NCCF, with the aim of supplying it to consumers at subsidised rates.

The existing market intervention for rice, already underway through 651 special counters and Rythu Bazaars, has seen about 10,163 quintals sold so far, benefiting nearly one lakh consumers. Building on this, the committee has ordered the procurement of 10,000 metric tonnes of KNM variety rice from millers in Nellore district for sale through the same channels.

The meeting was attended by Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar, Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, and Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav. Officials have been instructed to continuously monitor prices, stocks, and supplies, and to coordinate with the Centre for adequate allocation of essential commodities to prevent artificial shortages.