Hyderabad: Telangana caps rice prices for three popular varieties as the Civil Supplies Department launched a statewide crackdown on rice millers, wholesalers and retailers. The enforcement drive targeted alleged price manipulation, hoarding, short-weight packaging and other unfair trade practices.
The department fixed maximum retail prices between Rs 66 and Rs 79 per kilogram. Meanwhile, enforcement teams conducted 2,686 inspections and registered 335 cases during a week-long statewide operation.
Officials also directed rice millers and traders to display the prescribed prices prominently on all 26-kg packaged rice bags. The measure aimed to improve pricing transparency and protect consumers from excessive charges.
Telangana caps rice prices for three popular varieties
Under the revised price limits, the department fixed the maximum retail price of BPT/KNM rice at Rs 66 per kg. It capped RNR/Telangana Sona rice at Rs 74 per kg and HMT/JSR rice at Rs 79 per kg.
Additionally, the department instructed millers, wholesalers and retailers to comply with the prescribed price limits. Traders were required to print the applicable prices clearly on 26-kg rice packages. The restrictions formed part of the government’s broader enforcement measures against artificial scarcity and excessive retail pricing.
Joint enforcement drive resulted in 335 cases
Civil Supplies Commissioner and Ex-Officio Principal Secretary M. Stephen Raveendra directed the statewide enforcement operation. Accordingly, the Enforcement Task Force (ETF) and Legal Metrology Department conducted joint inspections from October 29 to November 5.
During the week-long drive, ETF officials carried out 1,141 surprise inspections at rice mills, wholesale establishments and retail outlets. These inspections resulted in 55 cases, including 35 criminal cases.
Separately, Legal Metrology officials inspected another 1,545 establishments and booked 280 cases for various violations. Together, the two departments conducted 2,686 inspections and registered 335 cases against establishments and traders.
Inspections uncovered rice packaging and pricing violations
The inspections revealed several irregularities involving rice packaging, pricing and regulatory compliance. In several instances, traders allegedly sold 25-kg rice bags while falsely labelling them as 26-kg packages. Such practices misrepresented the quantity supplied to consumers.
Officials also identified cases involving inflated price stickers placed over the original prices printed by manufacturers. Furthermore, enforcement teams detected hoarding of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice and establishments operating without mandatory GST and FSSAI licences.
The violations highlighted practices that the department sought to address through its statewide inspections and price restrictions. As Telangana caps rice prices, the Civil Supplies Department also prepared stronger legal measures against habitual offenders.
The department was considering invoking the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against repeat offenders involved in PDS rice hoarding and price manipulation. Additionally, authorities said violators would face prosecution under the Essential Commodities Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The proposed action particularly targeted traders and other operators repeatedly involved in practices affecting rice availability and retail prices. Meanwhile, the Civil Supplies Department said monitoring and enforcement activities would continue across Telangana.
Officials said the continuing inspections aimed to prevent artificial shortages, curb consumer exploitation and maintain rice availability at affordable prices.