Harish Rao seeks curbs on soaring rice prices in Telangana

BRS Legislature Party deputy leader T Harish Rao on Monday, 5 October 2026, demanded immediate measures from the Telangana government and the Centre to check the rise in prices of rice and other essential commodities. Rao alleged that fine rice prices had increased by 25 per cent in four months and urged action against black marketing, hoarding and excessive profit margins.

Rao questioned the government's claims of record crop production, asking why prices were rising despite higher output. He also criticised the state's fine rice scheme, saying rising retail prices indicated consumers were not opting for the rice supplied under it. He alleged that farmers received only nominal prices under the Minimum Support Price system while middlemen profited by more than Rs 8,000 a quintal. Rao listed prices of other commodities: onions at Rs 70 a kg, garlic at Rs 240, groundnut oil at Rs 210, green gram at Rs 125 and red gram at Rs 165. He called for a review of the price situation and action against hoarders.