With Onam approaching in less than a month, Kerala’s Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan-led government has introduced a comprehensive market intervention strategy. This plan aims to ensure reasonable prices and continuous availability of essential goods during the upcoming week-long Onam festivities, concluding in the last week of August.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob disclosed that the annual Onam market intervention will kick off with Supplyco’s Onam Trade Fairs starting on August 8. Chief Minister Satheesan will inaugurate the State-level fair in Ernakulam. Three Mega Trade Fairs are scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode, with district-level fairs in the remaining 11 districts from August 16 to 25.
Furthermore, Onam Markets will be established in all 126 Assembly constituencies, with special fairs planned during the final six days before Thiruvonam. Horticorp outlets will also be operational during the fairs, offering subsidized vegetables to help stabilize prices during the festive period.
To address the seasonal demand surge, 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 other ration card categories, including NPS and NPNS beneficiaries, will also receive wheat supplies.
Beneficiaries will have the opportunity to purchase their September quota of subsidized commodities in advance during August. The government will distribute free Onam kits, comprising 16 essential food items, to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families in the initial week of August, with around Rs 53 crore allocated for this initiative, covering welfare institution residents as well.
To curb hoarding and black marketing during the festive season, special squads under District Collectors will conduct rigorous inspections statewide, while the Price Monitoring Cell will monitor retail prices closely. Over the past two months, the government has approved Rs 448.05 crore for Onam kit distribution, market intervention, and paddy procurement, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring affordability for households during Kerala’s prominent festival.
