THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a while, the price of rice in the public market is rising sharply, making life more difficult for the common man.

The price of Matta vadi rice increased from Rs 46 to Rs 54 per kg, while the price of Surekha rice rose to Rs 48 from Rs 38. If the situation continues at this level, the price will cross Rs 60 during Onam. In view of this, the black marketeers intensified their hoarding of rice. At the same time, Supplyco is selling rice at subsidized rates of Rs 24 and 25. Not all rice is available at subsidized prices in Maveli stores.

The government is in debt of rupees Rs 4389 crores including the subsidy given to Supplyco. For buying Supplyco goods, distributors must be paid Rs 400 crores as well. Most of the subsidized items are not available in the Maveli stores as the suppliers did not supply rice and grocery.

Price of 'Jaya' dropped

While the price of all other varieties of rice has increased, the price of 'Jaya' has not increased because the original Jaya rice has reached Supplyco through the Andhra government. Supplyco bought 4000 tonnes of Jaya rice. It is sold at Rs 25 per kg at a subsidized rate and Rs 38 per kg without subsidy.

The price of Andhra white rice named Jaya rose to Rs 53 per kg in the wholesale market and Rs 60 per kg in the retail market last October. Then on November 1 last, following a discussion held by Food Minister GR Anil with Andhra Pradesh Food Minister Venkata Nageswara Rao in Thiruvananthapuram, Jaya rice was widely produced in Andhra's Godavari. With the reduction in the price of Jaya rice in the government market, the price of duplicate rice in the public market has come down to Rs 34.

Rice price hike

(Variant, price last month, now)

Mattavadi ----- ₹45 ----------- ₹52

Kuruva---- ₹38 ------------ ₹40

Sona Masuri ₹45-50 ---- ₹50-55

Pachari------ ₹32 ------- ₹36