Christmas-New Year supply fairs are underway

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan distributing Christmas-New Year kits to beneficiaries at the launch of a special supplies fair in Thiruvananthuram on Saturday.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has stressed that effective market intervention by the state government has helped curb rising prices of daily necessities and food products in Kerala, even as prices continue to rise across the country.

While inaugurating the Christmas-New Year Fair of the state-level Supply that will last until December 30, he said that the government’s active market intervention, especially through Supply, played an important role in controlling the price increase during the festival. He said that consumer associations and primary cooperatives are also active along with Supplyco to control the price increase. These collective efforts help prevent prices from spiraling out of control, especially during periods of high demand.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that Kerala is making significant progress in food production. Efforts to increase the productivity of crops like paddy and coconut are giving positive results. Also, efforts are being made to further promote the agricultural sector of the state and convert agricultural produce into value-added products.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister GR Anil, who presided over the event, said that the special fair aimed to give discounts to the people not only on concessional items but also on various other items. The fair is organized in all district headquarters.

He said that six lakh Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) (yellow) ration card holders in Kerala will be provided sugar at subsidized rates. The initiative will make 1 kg of sugar, which normally costs more than ₹ 45, available to eligible cardholders for just ₹ 27.

The fair will also have flash sales every day from 2.30 pm to 4 pm. During this period, additional discounts will be offered, in addition to the regular price cuts on non-subsidised products.