Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the government will intensify its market intervention efforts to control the prices of essential commodities.
He was speaking while inaugurating the Vishu-Easter-Ramadan fairs organized by the Kerala State Co-operative Consumer Federation Limited (Consumerfed) at a function held here on Monday.
Mr Vijayan said the prices of 13 essential commodities supplied by the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) remained unchanged since 2016. The government had controlled their prices in order to address the concerns of the common man.
Apart from the ongoing market intervention efforts, steps were also being taken to improve agricultural productivity through the Department of Agriculture to achieve self-sufficiency. In addition, various departments including agriculture, local self-government, industries and cooperatives were focused on manufacturing value-added agricultural products.
Cooperation Minister VN Vasavan presided over the function. Registrar of Co-operative Societies Adila Abdullah, and Consumerfed Chairman M. Mehboob and Managing Director Sanil SK also participated.
Fairs will be held at 778 centers across the state from April 12 to 18. Suplacco will sell 13 essential items at subsidized rates. In addition, a range of cosmetics, household and other items will be offered at the fairs at a discount.
suplico fair
Food and Civil Supplies Minister GR Anil, who inaugurated a Vishu-Easter-Ramadan fair at Supplico supermarket at KSRTC Central Bus Station in Thampanur, said storage facilities would be set up in each taluk for food grains.
He said that once the detailed project report is submitted, the Center will consider the possibility of funding the first 20 such centres. Mr. Anil said that setting up of storage units in each taluk would help the government to transport food items to the retail centers without any delay.
Fairs are being organized at all district centers till May 3.
Sanjeev Patjoshi, Chairman and Managing Director, Supplico and PK Raju, Deputy Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation also spoke on the occasion.