AP seeks further extension of LPG-Aadhaar deadline

Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy will again request the Centre to extend the deadline fixed for Aadhaar-linked delivery of LPG refills to households.

The previous extension allowed by the Centre in coordination with oil companies following a similar request, will close on August 31. Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, East Godavari, Chittoor and Anantapur have been selected for implementation of the Aadhaar linked LPG supply on a pilot basis under the Central government’s direct cash transfer scheme.

So far only 48 per cent of consumers have ceded their bank accounts with Aadhaar numbers. This is the third time that the state government is seeking an extension of the deadline for Aadhaar-LPG link.

Though, a large number of people submitted their Aadhaar numbers to the banks and respective oil companies, the ceding was not completed. Hence the chief minister has decided to ask the Centre to extend the deadline.

Reviewing the prices of essential commodities at a meeting in the Secretariat on Friday, Kiran Reddy directed the Food and Civil Supplies, Marketing, Agriculture and other related departments to go in for effective market intervention and control the prices of essential commodities particularly rice and onions.

He also asked the civil supplies department to ensure effective distribution of nine essential commodities at Rs 185 to 2.25 crore card holders under Amma Hastham. Now the open market price of these commodities was Rs 306.

The chief minister will also write to the Centre not to reduce the rice mill levy percentage from the existing 75 per cent to 25 per cent as it will adversely affect the farmers and may deny them the remunerative price.

OUTLETS: The officials informed the chief minister that they would open around 45,000 outlets at fair price shops and ensure that essential commodities were available at reasonable prices.

Officials said 1,10,504 quintals of super fine varieties of rice was sold by millers through 1,275 Rythu Bazars, rice mill points and designated centres at Rs 30 per kg. 

Officials said that so far 3,319.31 quintals of onions were sold through rythu bazars in the state at an average price of Rs 34 per kg. 

The chief minister was also told that the open market price of superfine rice in Hyderabad was far less than what was prevailing in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai. However the price of superfine rice was high compared to last year, but the farmer was getting equally higher price benefiting them.

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