Kakinada: Civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar on Friday announced that the Andhra Pradesh government would establish Mee Marts through fair price shops, stocking 64 essential commodities at affordable prices as part of its price stabilisation initiative. He said recent increases in rice prices were driven by higher transportation and fuel costs linked to the ongoing Gulf conflict. The government also supplies premium-quality rice in 25-kg bags to 42,000 government schools and 4,000 welfare hostels under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. The minister said fair price shops would be upgraded into Mee Marts, where 64 essential commodities would be sold at subsidised rates. Kakinada Super Bazaar chairman Pesangi Adinarayana, Kakinada MLA Vanamadi Venkateswara Rao, Kakinada Rural MLA Pantham Venkateswara Rao and others were present.