10/11/2008 (Money Control), Hyderabad - The Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to reduce the palm oil price being distributed to White Card holders through fair price shops to Rs 35 a litre from the present Rs 45 immediately. The decision was taken by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, after a meeting with officials of the Civil Supplies, Marketing and Horticulture here on Monday.

A release from the Chief Minister’s Office said with this reduction for a standard family of four people, (16 kg rice + 1 litre palm oil + 1 kilo toor dal) would in total cost only Rs 97. The Chief Minister said the State Government decided to reduce the prices of palm oil so that all these items comes to the white card holding families for just Rs 97 a month.

He has also decided to increase the input subsidy for growing vegetables and fruits for 1.80 lakh hectares from 1.18 lakh hactares during last rabi. The Chief Minister has asked the Horticulture Department to take into account the present price position, the demand and supply position and plan cultivation of different vegetable crops well in advance.