THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the failure of government intervention, the prices of rice in the Onam market is on the rise and hoarding has become widespread. Supplyco outlets, on the other hand, have no rice stroke. Food Minister GR Anil told Finance Minister KN Balagopal in person yesterday that if the money is not released, there will be a huge price hike for Onam. 500 crore has been requested to be released immediately. This situation is when Onachandas are starting next week. Last time, rice prices were held down by making rice available at Onachandas at a rate of Rs 25 per kg.

Rice prices have been rising for a week. Matta rice costs Rs 60 now. Rice is not available in sufficient quantity as exports of Jaya rice has increased. Demand for Indian rice is high due to low prices. This is the reason for the price increase in the state. Export of Pachari is prohibited. Last March and April, the price of rice had crossed Rs 60. The price had come down with the harvest in July.

Finance department without payment, suppliers also abandoning

• ConsumerFed and HortiCorp have not been sanctioned money for onam trade.
• SupplyCo is unable to place orders for goods as the Rs 70 crore sanctioned by the government is too short.
• Supplyco owes Rs 530 crore to suppliers. An attempt was made by asking them to deliver the stock by paying 70 crores and owing the rest, but it did not work out.

Rice price

Item --------- 2022 Onam------ 2023 April---- -------------July------------- Aug

Matta ------------- 45-52 --------------- 58- 60 ----------------- 46- 48 -------- 53-60

Jaya ---------------- 42-53 --------------- 57- 59 ----------------- 35-40 -------- 44- 50

Surekha ----------39-44 --------------- 54- 58 ------------------ 36-38--------- 47-52

Jyoti --------------- 45-50 ----------------52- 57 ----------------- 45-48----- ----- 52-55

Pachari ------------28- 30 -------------- 32-36 ------------------ 28-30--- ------- 33-38