Telangana’s civil supplies department has intensified inspections and enforcement against rice hoarding, weight manipulation and unjustified price increases after reports of shortages and rising retail prices, while warning that offenders could face action under the Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act.
The department said it was enforcing maximum retail prices for major rice varieties to prevent artificial scarcity and protect consumers. BPT and KNM rice have been capped at ₹66 per kg, while premium RNR and Telangana Sona varieties cannot be sold above ₹74 per kg. HMT and JSR rice varieties have a maximum retail price of ₹79 per kg.
Civil supplies director GV Shyam Prasad Lal urged retailers not to panic or raise prices in response to what the department described as unverified shortage rumours. According to the department, middlemen may be spreading such claims to push up prices and influence market conditions.
Retailers reporting stock shortages have been advised to approach their respective district civil supplies officers directly. They can submit their requirements to the DCSOs and procure rice directly from millers instead of relying on wholesalers and traders, the department said.
The enforcement drive is also examining how consumers are being charged at retail outlets. Inspection teams have reportedly detected weight-related violations, including 25-kg bags being labelled as 26 kg. Officials have also found cases in which original price labels were allegedly concealed with fake labels showing higher prices.
The government said it would take legal action against those involved in illegal hoarding, diverting stocks to the black market or artificially inflating prices. The civil supplies department is preparing to invoke the PD Act against offenders, while field inspections and price enforcement continue across the state.
The measures place district-level civil supplies officers at the centre of the immediate response. Their role includes receiving retailer stock requirements, facilitating direct procurement from millers and supporting enforcement of the notified retail price limits. The department’s stated objective is to maintain supply and prevent consumers from paying more because of alleged market manipulation.
