Kerala Unveils Extensive Market Intervention Plan for Affordable Onam Celebrations
Kerala's Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan-led 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 plan includes the launch of Supplyco's Onam Trade Fairs on August 8, with Chief Minister 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 organised in the remaining 11 districts between August 16 and 25.
The government plans to release over 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.
The government has earmarked Rs 53 crore for the Onam kit scheme, which includes 16 essential food items to be distributed free of cost to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (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.