Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil announced significant measures to control the prices of essential commodities, including rice and coconut oil, in time for the upcoming festive season. Speaking during the launch of Supplyco’s new product line at Bolgatty Palace, Kochi, Anil emphasized the government’s successful market intervention.
The Kera brand of coconut oil will be available at ₹457 per liter at Supplyco outlets. In response to consumer demand, the previous limitation restricting purchases to one liter per bill has been lifted. The Minister highlighted that Supplyco’s in-house coconut oil, branded as ‘Sabari’, is offered at a subsidized price of ₹349, while a non-subsidized variant is priced at ₹429. He assured consumers that prices would decrease further before Onam and noted that other brands of coconut oil can be found at Supplyco outlets below the maximum retail price (MRP).
In preparation for the Onam festivities, Anil revealed that the government had procured around 25,000 tonnes of food grains, including rice and black gram. Eligible ration card holders will benefit from an allocation of 20 kg of either raw or boiled rice at just ₹25 per kg during the festive period.
Additionally, the launch of five new items under the Sabari brand was announced, which include rice flour, payasam mix, sugar, salt, and Palakkadan matta rice. The Minister shared impressive sales figures from earlier months, reporting ₹168 crore in sales for July and estimating sales of ₹300 crore during Onam. Last month alone, subsidized items worth ₹60 crore were sold, with around 32 lakh consumers relying on Supplyco outlets. The first half of August saw sales of ₹107 crore and a footfall of 19 lakh customers. Remarkably, sales exceeded ₹10 crore on both August 11 and 12.
As part of the Onam celebrations, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is set to inaugurate district Onam fairs in Thiruvananthapuram on August 25, followed by Industries Minister P. Rajeeve kicking off the fair in Ernakulam on August 26. This initiative not only highlights the government’s commitment to supporting consumers but also aims to enhance accessibility to essential goods during the festive season.
This multifaceted program showcases efforts to stabilize market prices and ensure that festive celebrations remain affordable for Kerala’s citizens. As the Onam season approaches, these measures signal a proactive approach to managing food supply and prices in the state, promising a bountiful celebration ahead.
Kerala, Food and Civil Supplies, essential commodities, Onam
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/market-intervention-succeeded-in-controlling-price-rise-says-minister/article69952395.ece
Category : Kerala
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Publish Date: 2025-08-20 02:21:00
