THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The price hike of essential commodities in the public market has subsided a bit, bringing relief during Onam. The prices of commodities, including rice, has reached the price that was prevailing six months ago. The prices of chilly and coriander are coming down. With the opening of Onam markets by the government, there is no shortage of essential commodities. The goods are made available here at a reasonable price. Only a few items have become expensive.
The price of rice that went above Rs 60 per kg in the general market has fallen below Rs 50. The price of chilly, which had gone up to Rs 300, has come down to Rs 180-195 now. The price of coriander has come down from Rs 200 to Rs 100. Only a few items, including white chickpeas and green peas, have seen an increase in prices. The price of white chickpeas has gone up from Rs 100 to Rs 160. The price of green peas has gone up from Rs 60-70 to Rs 160-170.
There is no shortage of rice at the outlets as Supplyco has once again been given an opportunity to participate in the Open Market Sales Scheme (OMSS) auction, where surplus grains in FCI godowns are given to wholesalers at a lower price. This has also curbed the rise in the price of rice in the general market.
How rice prices were controlled
Current Rice Price
(per kg, in Rs.)
Matta vadi...................................48 - 52
Matta unda...............................34-46
Dopi...............................35- 46
Surekha.............................42-46
Andhra white...................39- 42
Ponni...............................40-65
(Wholesale market price in Chala, retail market may increase by Rs. 5)
"Onam fairs are busy now. This is proof that the government's market intervention has been successful.
-GR Anil,
Food Minister