Hyderabad, Sep 22nd: Andhra Pradesh Food and Civil Supplies Minister J Krishna Rao today said the State Government would continue the Rs two per kg rice scheme on the white ration card holders and Rs 25 subsidy per cylinder on cooking gas in the State. After a review meeting with the State Chief Minister K Rosaiah, Mr Rao said the Centre would release an additional quota of rice for the scheme periodically. The minister further said the Government had written a letter to the Centre to extend the facility by releasing 45,000 tones of rice which would expire in October this year and expressed the hope that the Centre would respond positively.

The Centre had agreed to release ten lakh gas connections in the State under 'Deepam Scheme' and it would be released as per schedule, he informed. The State Government would continue to provide subsidy of Rs 25 per gas cylinders. Mr Rao said the Government had already conducted a meeting with the rice millers and dealers of pulses and informed them about the stringent action against the hoarders and black marketers in the state. The millers and dealers responded well and assured the Government in controlling the prices of essential commodities.