Civil Supplies Minister D Sreedhar Babu on Monday clarified that the State Government was not supplying different stock under the Rs 1-a-kg rice scheme.
In response to the allegations made by Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi in the legislative assembly that inferior quality of rice was being provided to poor people under the Rs 1-a-kg rice scheme, Sreedhar Babu said that the government has only reduced the price of rice from Rs 2 to Rs 1 per kg. The supplies are being made by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) only. However, he assured that the government would take stern action against the dealers if they provide inferior quality rice.
Earlier, while participating in the discussion on No Confidence Motion, Akbaruddin Owaisi showed a sample of coloured rice which was being supplied to the white ration card holders under the Rs 1-a-kg rice scheme. He also criticised the government for supplying just 4 litres of kerosene oil per month to the BPL families. He said four litres per month amounts to just 135 ML of kerosene per day. "How do you expect the families to cook their food with 135 ML of kerosene? This is not even sufficient to burn a lamp for a day. Nobody can even commit suicide with so little kerosene," he asked.
The MIM floor leader demanded that the State Government increase the quota of kerosene to at least 10 litres per month. The Civil Supplies Minister assured that the government would consider his demand. (INN)
2011/11/3 6:40:51 The State Government on Thursday denied reports that appeared in a section of media about the supply of rotten rice under Public Distribution System.
According to Civil Supplies Department, the media reports have been enquired into by competent officials and they were found to be incorrect. Data received from the districts show that already 15- 25 per cent of cardholders have drawn rice from the Fair Price Shops for the month of November, an official said. 2011.
As a measure of abundant precaution, instructions have been issued to the Joint Collectors to ascertain about the quality of rice available with Fair Price Shops and already supplied to the cardholders. In case of complaints about substandard quality, they have been advised to take steps to replace rice and also to initiate strict disciplinary action against the staff who have been found negligent in their duties.
If any cardholder or any person desires to make any complaint about the quality of supply of rice from any Fair Price Shop, they can do so on Toll Free Helpline No. 1800 4252 977 / 1800 4250 082 between 10.00 am to 7.00 pm for enquiry and to take appropriate action. (INN)
2007/12/29 4:03:56 The recent announcement by the TTD board to make the ‘Annaprasadams’ at Tirumala with ‘Basmathi’ rice came in for sharp criticism from many devotes. They see this move as yet another attempt to make some money. The annaprasadams like ‘Pulihora, Chakkera pongali, Daddojanam, Katte Pongali were made form good quality sona masoori rice. The move to make prsadams with Basmati in the name of improving the quality of prsadams does not hold. Basmathi rice is traditionally used for making Biriyani and not prsadams.
The quality of Laddu has come down drastically over the years. The TTD would do well to look into this aspect first. The traditional laddu prasadam in the past had a shelf life of about two months. The laddus now do not last beyond two days. The reason is that while the ingredients like Kaju, kismis cardamom and pure ghee are purchased for the laddus; they are not used in the right proportions. The costly spices are diverted and sold in the market by some corrupt and unscrupulous temple officials. The pilgrims who have been visiting Tirupathi for ages say that it is only due to corruption among the temple officials that the quality of laddu has come down drastically.
2011/11/3 2:49:40 While Kiran Kumar Reddy feels very proud of his brain-child-scheme- Re.1/KG rice, his own cabinet minister Dr. DL Ravindra Reddy has openly criticized it at the official 'Rachcha Banda' program beinmg held by him at Brahmamgari Matam in Kadapa district. Speaking to media, he said "What is the use of giving Rs.1/KG. rice when all the other items like vegetables and groceries are beyond the reach of common man? I personally oppose this idea of supplying Re.1/ KG rice." Former Minister JC Diwakar Reddy also opposed this scheme.
However, block-marketers are very happy for this divine help comes from state Government. It came to know, Task Force has seized a truck which is carrying Re.1/KG rice to Hyderabad.
2011/8/16 3:41:42 The Chief Minister Mr N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Tuesday requested the Centre to permit export of additional 15 lakh MT of rice from Andhra Pradesh to other countries through normal trade channels. He said permission to export would enable disposing off the rice held in the State and the millers would be ready to commence paddy purchases immediately for the ensuing Kharif season of 2011-12.
In separate letters written to Union Finance Minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee and Union Food Minister Prof K.V.Thomas, the Chief Minister requested them to consider the export of 15 Lakh MT of rice so that the millers could clear the stocks on hand and could purchase the paddy from the farmers and the farmers in turn would get the remunerative price for their produce. He assured permitting rice exports would not result in any shortage of rice either for PDS or in the open market, he said. It may be recalled here that the Centre has allowed export of 10 lakh MT of non-basmati rice on Chief Minister's request.
"I would like to bring to your notice that the rice production in Andhra Pradesh in 2010-11 is 143 lakh MT which is 33% higher than last year and new arrivals are expected from the last week of October, 2011," the Chief Minister said. As you are aware, the godowns of the FCI are full with rice and there appears to be no scope to accept any further levy rice from the rice millers unless either additional godowns are taken on hire or the movement to other States is increased, which, in the present circumstances, appears to be not feasible. The millers are holding huge stocks of rice awaiting delivery to the FCI besides substantial quantity of levy-free rice, he added. (INN)
CM asks centre to permit export of 20 lakh MTs of rice
2011/8/19 8:52:56 Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday asked the Centre to permit export of additional 20 Lakh MT rice - boiled and raw rice in equal quantities - from Andhra Pradesh to other countries through normal trade channels. The permission for export has been sought on the grounds that the rice held in the State is disposed of and the millers would be ready to commence paddy purchases immediately for the ensuing kharif season of 2011-12.
The Chief Minister on Friday wrote separate letters to Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Union Food Minister Prof. K.V.Thomas, seeking permission for rice exports. He also spoke to the Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Thomas and Anand Sharma on telephone individually and requested them to immediately permit export of additional 20 lakh MTs and expected that a decision will be taken at the earliest.
The Chief Minister assured them that considering this request would not result in any shortage of rice either for PDS or in the open market. (INN)
2011/11/3 3:18:58 Civil Supplies Minister D Sridhar Babu on Thursday assured that the state government would order a comprehensive probe into the pest affected rice supplied under Rs 1-a-kg scheme on Wednesday in Warangal district.
Talking to media persons at the State Secretariat, the Minister said that the government would take action against the officials concerned based on the probe report. He said that enquiry has been ordered based on reports that appeared in a section of media that pest affected rice was supplied on Nov 2 under Rs 1 a kg rice scheme. He warned that serious action would be taken against those who try to damage or defame the scheme.
Sreedhar Babu said that Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy launched the scheme under which 22.6 million below poverty line families would get rice at Re 1-a-kg instead of the Rs 2. Stating that the scheme was aimed at providing food security to the poor, he said that 3,30,000 tonnes of subsidised rice would be supplied through the public distribution system every month.
The Minister also assured that the government was trying to reduce the prices of rice being sold in open market. (INN)
The chief minister Y D Rajashekar Reddy’s trump card – the Rs. 2 a kil0 rice scheme has met with cold reception from the congress high command. The scheme entails an additional expenditure of about 1012 crore per annum on the exchequer.
YSR tried to pass on the burden to the centre. He hoped that the central government would chip in with the amount needed to launch the rice scheme. The centre is reported to have rejected his request to subsidise the rice scheme. The CM will now have to think up of some way to implement the scheme.
2011/9/21 4:02:32 Taking the populist scheme to a new level, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on announced that his government would provide one kilogram of rice for just one Rs one from November 1st.
Addressing the Rythu Mahila Sadassu at Tirupati here on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said that the one rupee a kg rice scheme would benefit 2.25 crore ration card holders. Further, he said that the government would soon approve 24 lakh new ration cards.
It may be recalled that it was in 1994 that Telugu Desam Party found NT Rama Rao came to power on the promise of Rs 2 kilo rice scheme. The same scheme was adopted by YS Rajasekhra Reddy during his tenure. Going a step further, Kiran Kumar Reddy announced that his government would be providing one kilogram of rice for one rupee.
The Chief Minister also announced that the government would provide one lakh jobs by the end of December this year. Further, he announced several sops for the Chittoor districts including jobs for the youth, water supply to all the villages and loans for women. (INN)
2007/10/5 5:03:48 Is the 2 Rupees a Kilo rice scheme announced by the chief minister Y S Rajashekar Reddy just a poll gimmick? Yes, say a majority of the people concerned. YS announced the scheme only to take the fizz out of TDP chief Babu’s announcement of 9 hours of free current.
Finance minter Rosaiah let the cat out of the bag when he commented to media today that the scheme was just an idea mooted by YS and nothing concrete has yet been worked out. Even the central government has rejected the state’s request to increase subsidy for the scheme.
The PDS price dealers are also against the idea of Rs. 2 kilo rice scheme. They fell that their margin would come down substantially as rice is now being sold at Rs. 5.40 a kg. Observers feel that if at all the scheme is implemented; it will be only after the polls are announced. And it may not run for long and would be diluted once the elections are over.
Congress - two rupees rice, TDP – Free! , Chiru???
2008/4/11 4:36:51
The two main political parties in the state, the congress and the TDP are now fighting over the two rupees a kilo rice issue. The scheme was originally conceived by NT Ram Rao in 1983. He re-introduced it in 1995. Chandra Babu Naidu slowly diluted it and finally scrapped it altogether. Now that he is in the opposition, he wanted to make it as a poll promise and announce it during the assembly elections.
Chief Minister YS Rajashekar Reddy got wind of it and promptly hijacked it. Babu is now at a loss as to how to counter this. Some party leaders want Babu to now announce rice free of cost to all BPL families if he comes back to power. The TDP leaders feel that this will effectively nullify the advantage garnered by the congress with the 2 Rs a kilo rice scheme.
Chiranjeevi is now contemplating an entry into politics. After the congress’ two rupees a kilo rice scheme and the TDP’s free rice scheme, what will Chiru do now? Will he announce Tur Dal, sugar and cooking oil at two rupees a kilo?!
2012/3/21 7:29:13 The State Government on Wednesday claimed that the Rs one-a-kg rice scheme has been benefitting about 3.38 lakh families in the State.
Replying to a question raised by Congress MLA Anam Vivekananada Reddy and others during Question Hour, Civil Supplies Minister D Sridkhar Babu said that the scheme was aimed at helping the poor and almost 88 per cent of the ration card holders were getting benefitted from the scheme. He said steps were being taken to weed out the bogus ration cards.
The minister also denied the allegations levelled by TDP's Gali Muddu Krishnamma Naidu and CPM's J Ranga Reddy that the scheme was being misused to smuggle the rice to open market.
Sridhar Babu also informed the House that the Food Security Act has not yet come into force in the State. (INN)
2011/9/22 4:53:51 Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy claimed that Rs one kilo rice scheme would not overshadow the populist schemes initiated by former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
Addressing a press conference at J-Block Conference Hall in the State Secretariat here on Thursday, Raghuveera Reddy said that the new scheme would help over two crore poor families in the state. "It is being started with an intention to promote the welfare of the poor," he said.
The Minister said that the Congress Government was not sidetracking the welfare schemes introduced by YSR. "YSR and his name is still part of the Congress party," he said. He also listed out the various welfare schemes being implemented by the State Government.
The new rice scheme, to be implemented from November 1 with an estimated cost of Rs 2,600 Crore was announced by the Chief Minister N Kirankumar Reddy in Tirupati on Wednesday. (INN)
2011/9/22 4:20:57 Primary Education Minister Dokka Manikyavara Prasad on Thursday stated that the state government was committed to implement one rupee kilo rice scheme for the poor and down trodden people.
Talking to media persons after participating in a series of programmes in the district, the Minister said that the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has announced the scheme after discussing threadbare with officials concerned over the financial consequences. He said that the government has planned to implement the scheme after studying the recommendations of Tendulkar Committee.
The Minister said that the Tendulkar Committee was set up by National Development Council in 2009 to look into the methodology for estimating poverty. Based on the recommendations of committee, the government took the decision of implementing one rupee a kilo rice to eradicate poverty. He slammed the Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu for criticizing the State Government on welfare schemes. (INN)
Yes it is true. Tollywood beauty Trisha and her mother Uma Krishnan were selling Basmati rice these days. But, they have not opened any new business for this purpose but promoting a leading company that engaged in Basmati Rice sales business. Although, Trisha endorses some other products, this is the first time to act along with her mother in a commercial Ad. Earlier also, some companies and even producers asked Uma Krishnan to act in their films, but she keep refusing them until now. But, finally she has agreed to endorse this product- ‘Basmati Rice’ and recently the mother and daughter completes this shoot. This Ad will hit the small screens very soon, probably from next month.
Centre releases Rs 1000 crore to FCI for rice millers
2011/7/25 8:51:07 Following the relentless pursuit of the issue by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, the Centre has released Rs 1000 crore to the Food Corporation of India towards payment of levy rice dues to the millers of the state by FCI.
The Centre’s decision came as a fall out of the efforts of the Chief Minister and the discussions he had with the Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister Thomas.
Over the last three days FCI has paid Rs 270 crore to millers, an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said.
This will enable the millers to purchase paddy from the farmers on a large scale.
It may be recalled that the FCI was due to millers of the state to the tune of Rs 1000 crore towards payment of levy rice.
The Chief Minister has twice written letters to the Union Government, besides meeting met Union Minister Thomas in this regard.
“Due to the efforts of the Chief Minister, FCI is making payments to the millers of the state,” the CMO said and added that the remaining dues will also be cleared within next week.
While thanking the Union Government and Union Minister Thomas, the Chief Minister asked to ensure that no dues are pending to the millers of the state by the centre.
He also asked the millers to purchase paddy by ensuring Minimum Support Price and not causing any hardships to the farmers.(INN)
2007/10/1 11:34:23 Chief minister Y S Rajashekar Reddy seems to have finally sounded the bugle for taking on the TDP in the next elections. The state cabinet met today and formally approved the Rs. 2 a kilo rice scheme. With this, the suspense over the rice scheme is over. This has come as a rude shock to Babu. He is speechless and he has not reacted on the issue so far. This is a big blow to the TDP and Babu as the congress government will now go ahead and actually implement the scheme while for Babu, it will remain just a poll promise.
2011/9/22 4:19:23 Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party Leader Nama Nageswara Rao on Thursday stated that the state government was cheating the poor and middle class people by promising to give a kilogram of rice for just one rupee.
Talking to media persons after paying tributes to party leader Damacharla Anjaneyulu on his death anniversary, Nageswara rao condemned the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy for announcing a scheme to cheat people. He asked the Chief Minister to explain the logic as to how Rs 1 a kg rice was possible when the price of rice in the open market costs around Rs 35 a kg. He demanded that the Chief Minister release a white paper on collection of taxes from various departments and how it was spent for the welfare of people.
Stating that the financial position of State Government was not sound for implementation of such populist schemes, he asked the government to take concrete measures for the welfare of people.
Another TDP senior leader Varla Ramaiah demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation seize the properties of YSR Congress Party president Jaganmohan Reddy, against whom the disproportionate assets case is going on. (INN)
Implement subsidy programs properly for rice farmers’ benefits: ex Minister
2011/8/2 8:56:08 A Rice Farmers’ met was organized at Hyderabad on Tuesday by Directorate of Rice Research (DRR), a wing of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, to spur the innovative spirit of rice farmers.
Dr Swapan Kumar Datta Deputy Director General ICAR inaugurated the meet while V Sobhanandreswara Rao former state agriculture minister was the guest of honour, who appreciated the initiative by DRR and expressed the shock that in spite of development the cases of farmers’ suicides are on increase.
He criticized the wrong implementation of policy of subsidy and said that opportunities should be provided to the farmers so that they can develop agricultural activities and suggested that the farmers should be allowed to import duty free agricultural machinery.
V Sobhanandreswara, also an agriculturist, suggested that the benefits of the research in rice should reach to the farmers by organising training programmes. He said that vision 2020 envisages five ton production per hectare per anum and efforts should be made to achieve this goal.
Dr Swapan Kumar Datta said that the government is providing several incentives for the farmers and if implemented properly the farmers will not resort to extreme steps like suicides.
Dr KD Kokate, Deputy Director General ICAR said that the farmers can make best use of modern machinery and latest technologies to increase their production.
Dr BC Virakamath Director DRR in his welcome speech said that DRR has introduced six varieties and organized 10 training camps for farmers.(INN)
BPL card holder allowed to buy August rice in July
2011/6/19 3:18:11 The state government on Sunday issued orders permitting all the BPL families, including Antyodaya Anna Yojana beneficiaries, to draw rice at Rs 2 per kg as per their entitlement, for the months of July and August, 2011 in July itself.
Commissioner of Civil Supplies Harpreet Singh said that all the BPL card holders who want to avail of this facility can draw two months rice quota as per their entitlement for July and August, 2011 at Rs 2 per kg in July, 2011 itself.
The Andhra Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited will be making necessary arrangements to move required quantity of rice to the fair price shops.
The cardholders were requested to contact the District Supply Officer concerned or the Managing Director of Civil Supplies, Hyderabad if they require any clarifications.(INN)
The congress and the TDP have announced that they will give rice at rupees two a kilo to people below the poverty line. NTR Rama Rao originally conceived the scheme in 1981 and he rode to power on this promise.
The TDP after Chandra Babu Came to power slowly increased the price to Rs. 5 a kilo. The party lost power and is now in the opposition. The ruling congress in a bid to upstage the TDP, announced that it would give rice at 2 rupees a kilo.
But Chiranjeevi seems to have gone a step further. His fans are now giving rice free of cost!
Nagababu who was in Vasakhapatnam recently launched this scheme on an experimental basis. The money for the scheme has come from the pockets of the fans.
In the first stage, 20 poor families were identified and each family will get five kilos of rice free of cost every month. Chiranjeevi plans to expand the scheme slowly to other parts of the state.
Civil Supplies Minister D Sreedhar Babu on Monday clarified that the State Government was not supplying different stock under the Rs 1-a-kg rice scheme.
While Kiran Kumar Reddy feels very proud of his brain-child-scheme- Re.1/KG rice, his own cabinet minister Dr. DL Ravindra Reddy has openly criticized it at the official 'Rachcha Banda' program beinmg held by him at Brahmamgari Matam in Kadapa district. Speaking to media, he said "What is the use of giving Rs.1/KG. rice when all the other items like vegetables and groceries are beyond the reach of common man? I personally oppose this idea of supplying Re.1/ KG rice." Former Minister JC Diwakar Reddy also opposed this scheme. 
Civil Supplies Minister D Sridhar Babu on Thursday assured that the state government would order a comprehensive probe into the pest affected rice supplied under Rs 1-a-kg scheme on Wednesday in Warangal district.
Taking the populist scheme to a new level, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on announced that his government would provide one kilogram of rice for just one Rs one from November 1st.
The State Government on Wednesday claimed that the Rs one-a-kg rice scheme has been benefitting about 3.38 lakh families in the State.
Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy claimed that Rs one kilo rice scheme would not overshadow the populist schemes initiated by former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
Primary Education Minister Dokka Manikyavara Prasad on Thursday stated that the state government was committed to implement one rupee kilo rice scheme for the poor and down trodden people.
Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party Leader Nama Nageswara Rao on Thursday stated that the state government was cheating the poor and middle class people by promising to give a kilogram of rice for just one rupee.
