Ranchi, Aug. 19: Taking measures to control the price in the time of drought, 150 outlets selling foodgrain at reasonable rates were opened across the state today.

Called Suvidha Kendra, these are run by the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) and the Jharkhand State Agricultural Marketing Board (JSAMB).

Governor K. Shankarnarayanan inaugurated the first outlet around 10am at Vikas Bhavan on Kutchery Road, close to the deputy development commissioner’s office.

The outlet had 10 items on sale at nominal rates. These included — boiled rice of medium and fine quality, pulses of three varieties including chana, masoor and arhar, mustard oil, refined oil, potato and onion. Here, medium quality boiled rice was priced at Rs 16 per kg while the finer variety was available at Rs 17 per kg. Chana dal was available at Rs 32 per kg while masoor dal at Rs 58 per kg. Arhar dal was being sold at Rs 75 per kg.

Mustard oil of Dhanush and Saloni brands were available at Rs 60 and 64 per litre, respectively. Fortune refined oil was being sold at Rs 54 per kg. Potatoes and onions were priced at Rs 12.50 and Rs 11 per kg, respectively.

A staff from the Ranchi Chambers of Commerce and Industries manages the outlet. He was provided with electronic balance and receipt books to carry out the business.

After inaugurating the first shop, four others were inaugurated at different parts of the capital, including one each near the State Bank at Pandara Market, at Prasad Grocery Shop in Harmu, Lalit Narayan Mishra Colony at Hehal and in front of the registry office in Kutchery.

Director (vigilance) of JSAMB, Vinay Kumar Sinku, confirmed that 10 outlets were opened at Jamshedpur, 13 at Dhanbad, three at Hazaribagh, five at Ramgarh, 15 at Daltonganj and five at Bokaro. Giridih is running three stores while Garhwa, Deoghar and Chakulia are running one, four and seven, respectively. (see chart)

People welcomed the opening of outlets. “I have purchased a packet of oil that costs Rs 70 in other shops, at Rs 60 only,” a retired audit officer K.P. Bhagat, said. He had come from North Office Para, 5km away, to shop here.

Similar was the reaction of a homemaker Priya Kacchap, who had come from Karam Toli. “Potatoes, which are available at Rs 16 per kg in our locality, is available at Rs 12.50 per kg here,” she said.

The store manager at Vikas Bhavan, Manoj Pandit, had a very busy day. “Please give me exact change,” he was heard telling a customer.

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