The prices of rice varieties, the staple diet for most of the families, have skyrocketed with retailers claiming that the wholesalers are hoarding it and seek government intervention to regulate the foodgrains trade.
Prices of boiled and raw rice have gone through the roof. They have witnessed a steep increase this month with a 25-kg bag of the moderately priced variety of Ponni crossing '1,000.
Homemakers are concerned about the increased prices of staple commodities, as they are forced to shell out more. Retail traders attribute it to illegal hoarding by wholesalers and seek government intervention to streamline the trade.
Though the prices of rice has been going north since the last few months, it has gone up significantly this month, by Rs 4- Rs 6 a kg across all varieties, say retailers.
"For instance, the fast selling boiled Ponni rice, which sold for Rs 900-Rs 950 a bag, is now being sold for Rs 1,100- Rs 1,150. White Ponni's price has touched Rs 1,250 from Rs 1,050," informed Mr S.P. Soruban, president, TN Maligai Vyabarigal Sangam.