Food Department's measures to prevent price hikes
Onam is the national festival of the Malayalees that has given the world a great message that all humans are the same. It is also a festival of minds that forget all other differences and deprivations and share joy. Since ancient times, Malayalees have competed to add value to it in any way possible. Thus, sayings like "Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam", which means: "One must have the Onam lunch even by selling one's property, were born. Despite the transition from royal rule to democracy, the traditional customs and rituals of Onam have not changed much.
The state government takes various measures to ensure that the joy of Onam does not diminish. The Food and Civil Supplies and Tourism departments are actively paying attention and planning in this regard. Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil has announced that Onam kits will be provided to six lakh families this year. The Onam markets will start on August 25. The minister has also indicated that Onam markets will operate in 140 constituencies in addition to district centres. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the state-level Onam markets on the 25th at Putharikandam Maithanam in Thiruvananthapuram. Onam markets will start operating in other district centres on the 26th and 27th.
The common man is currently facing a lot of trouble due to the increase in the prices of coconut and coconut oil. The Civil Supplies Department has planned various programs to provide relief in this regard. The main one is that during Onam, both subsidised and non-subsidised coconut oil will be distributed through Supplyo under the Sabari brand. The price of subsidised coconut oil has been fixed at Rs. 349 per litre. The price of a half-litre is Rs. 179. The price of non-subsidised coconut oil is Rs. 429. It will also be distributed at Rs. 219 per half-litre. The subsidised price of cowpea and pulses has also been reduced. The price of cowpea has been reduced from Rs. 75 to Rs. 70 per kg. Toor dal will be available for Rs. 105 instead of Rs. 93. Necessary steps have also been taken to ensure that the price of rice does not increase.
In addition to the existing free rice allocation, five kilos of rice will be distributed to pink cardholders at Rs. 10.90 during Onam. One kilo of sugar will also be distributed to yellow cardholders. 20 kilos of raw rice/parboiled rice will be made available to ration cardholders at Rs. 25 per kilo through Supplyco outlets. It has also been decided to distribute Onam Kit, which includes 15 food items, including a cloth bag, from August 18 to September 4.
Complaints and grievances are common during the Onam season. Most of them are related to the threat of price hikes and ration distribution. The steps taken by the state government and Minister G.R. Anil to take necessary precautions in view of this are commendable. It is hoped that the steps announced by Minister Anil will help in containing price hikes.