Kerala Government Unveils Extensive Market Intervention Plan for Affordable Onam Celebrations
The Kerala government has announced an extensive market intervention plan to ensure affordable prices and uninterrupted supplies of essential commodities during Onam, the state's biggest harvest festival. The government aims to provide subsidized trade fairs, free kits for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families, and strict price monitoring to contain festive price spikes.
The Supplyco's Onam Trade Fairs will begin on August 8 with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan inaugurating the State-level fair in Ernakulam. Three Mega Trade Fairs will be held in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode, while district-level fairs will be organized in the remaining 11 districts between August 16 and 25.
The government plans to release more than 1.29 lakh metric tonnes of rice and 24,500 metric tonnes of wheat through various distribution channels. Blue ration card holders will receive an additional three kg of rice and two kg of wheat, while all other ration card categories will also be supplied wheat. Beneficiaries will also be allowed to purchase their September quota of subsidized commodities in advance during August.
The government has earmarked Rs 53 crore for the free Onam kits, containing 16 essential food items, which will be distributed to AAY families in the first week of August. Special squads under District Collectors will conduct intensified inspections across the state to prevent hoarding and black marketing during the festive season.