Maharashtra takes steps to curb inflation

As price rise of essential commodities and increase in inflation has kept the Central government on its toes, Maharashtra government, which was under pressure from the opposition to announce measures to combat inflationary trend in the market, announced series of measures constrain rising prices on Friday. This includes making available essential items at concessional rates and allowing the direct sale of farm produce to consumers bypassing the agriculture market committee produce committees (APMC).

The decision to these effect were taken during the state cabinet meet on Thursday evening. Minister for civil supplies Sunil Tatkare announced them in the state assembly today. The state government has earmarked nearly Rs 67.60  crore per month to back these anti-inflationary measures.

Under the series of measures announced by the civil supplies minister,  1 Kilogram of edible oil will be made available to all families through public distribution system (PDS) at the rate of Rs 50 per kilo gram,  1 Kilogram of tur will be made available at Rs 30 per kiolgram and five kilogram of rice will be made available at the rate of Rs 12 per kilogram.

Besides this the state government has waived off cess charged by the market committees on all the transactions of farm produce, which include grains, fruits, vegetables, edible oil etc. taking place in the APMCs.

Tatkare also announced to start 25 Shetkari Bazars (Farmer Bazar) in various cities and town where farmers can sell their produce directly to consumers from May 1st.

He also pointed out, after change in the APMC act, 40 entities have been given license to buy the farm produce directly from farmers, which include many retail chain as part of the state government to ensure farmer gets remunerative price of his produce but at the same time consumer doesn't have to pay high prices.

The sugar cooperatives have been suggested to start the centres selling sugar directly to consumers in the area of their operations to ensure, consumer gets sugar at the affordable rates, Tatkare informed the house.