CM Pinarayi Vijayan gave his promise to the populace about no more price hikes for essential domestic goods during onam. On another note, agricultural minister P Prasad is optimistic about selling vegetables at a low price through horticorp markets. The last few days saw prices of essential goods skyrocketing and it has moreover perplexed the commoners in the state. The curt words of promise from the government are yet to get their dividend among people as commoners are still apprehending more turbulent times. The government promise is only for Onam, so what after that?

Vegetables are domestic essentials and are in demand for every single day. People need it at affordable rates and if the price jumps to a new high after Onam, it is a predicament nevertheless.

In the last few weeks, the rains poured incessantly in Kerala. Behind the guise of a powerful monsoon, the price of vegetables was increased. Though the rates showed a small dip, it was just a temporary solace. The present government intervention will help Kerala sustain a difficult Onam season, but there is a possibility that the people may continue to suffer under the grip of further price hikes after the season ends.

To intervene in the market, the government needs to splash big money. It will be too much to ask from a government that barely keeps the system running amidst a crippling economy and thus the SupplyCo and HortiCorp are made to stay open with full inventory, at least during the holidays. However, the accusations are running rife about Horticorp and Suppluyco stores running empty with no proper goods. It elicits a shock since the government has previously allotted millions for Supplyco and Horticorp to stock essential goods. Supplyco has now asked for immediate financial relief of Rs 100 crore to meet the concerns during the Onam season. The government is idle on the issue and has hitherto not beckoned any sign of approval.

With the absence of Horticorp and Supplyco, private players are making lucrative money from the business. They are giving little concern to the peril of commoners but keep on increasing the cost of vegetables and essentials in brutal disregard to norms.

The government has earlier launched many short and long-term schemes for the production of consumer goods. Plans were also implemented to increase rice production. Now we hear that the area of ​​rice fields has decreased by more than eight thousand acres in the state. The price of good quality rice has increased by Rs 10 to Rs 20 in the last few weeks. Apart from rice, the price of all commodities has gone up considerably, which is adding to the worries of the common man.

Lack of interest in agriculture is the mainspring of scarcity. The government's retreat from market intervention has also paved the way for an increase in the price of essential commodities. And now, private markets will try to increase prices at their whim only eyeing profits. Cant question much about their tenacity to do so since it is the government that should intervene in the market, but who else?