Market Measures Effective in Curbing Price Rise: Minister

Swift Summary

• Price Control: Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.R. anil stated that government market interventions successfully stabilized prices of essential commodities before the festive season, including rice and coconut oil.
• Coconut Oil Pricing: The ‘Kera’ brand price is ₹457 per litre at Supplyco outlets, while the subsidized ‘Sabari’ brand costs ₹349 per litre. Non-subsidized Sabari coconut oil is priced at ₹429. Other brands are available below MRP.
• consumer benefits: Eligible ration card holders will receive 20 kg of raw or boiled rice for ₹25 per kg during Onam.
• New Products Launch: Five new items under the sabari brand-rice flour, payasam mix, sugar, salt, and Palakkadan matta rice-were introduced by Supplyco in preparation for onam.
• Sales Data:

– July sales totaled ₹168 crore (₹60 crore attributed to subsidized products).
– August frist-half recorded sales worth ₹107 crore with a footfall of 19 lakh consumers; daily sales exceeded ₹10 crore on specific days like August 11 and 12.
– Sales worth ₹300 crore are projected during Onam festivities.

• Onam Fairs Inauguration:

– Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate Thiruvananthapuram fairs on August 25.
– Industries Minister P. Rajeeve will lead Ernakulam fairs inauguration on August 26.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Supplyco’s effective market intervention in curbing price hikes ahead of an important cultural festivity like Onam reflects proactive governance aimed at supporting consumer affordability amidst festival-driven demand spikes. Stabilizing prices for staples such as rice and coconut oil not only alleviates pressure from middle-class households but also ensures greater access to essential goods during high-consumption periods.

The launch of new Sabari-brand items signals an effort to diversify offerings within affordable price ranges targeted towards mass consumption segments-a decision likely to bolster consumer confidence in public distribution systems further.

With substantive sales figures indicating solid consumer reliance on Supplyco outlets (overlapping significantly with festival preparations), these measures underline their importance in Kerala’s socioeconomic landscape especially during festive seasons like Onam.

The upcoming district-level fairs inaugurated by key state ministers may reinforce public trust by emphasizing local availability and accessibility-a model that other states could find beneficial following similar economic strains or festival demands.

Read more: The Hindu