The State government is making strong market interventions this Onam season to keep the prices of essential commodities in check, Agriculture Minister T. Siddique has said.
He was speaking after inaugurating the Supplyco district Onam fair on the New Bus Stand premises in Kalpetta on Friday (August 14).
The Minister said the Onam markets organised by Supplyco would not only make essential commodities available at affordable prices but also ensure that quality products reached ordinary consumers. “The government will take all possible measures to prevent black marketing, hoarding, and price rise during the Onam season,” he said.
Mr. Siddique said the Agriculture department would open 2,000 vegetable markets across the State through Horticorp and the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam (VFPCK) to ensure the availability of quality vegetables at affordable prices. The government has allocated ₹20 crore for the purpose, he said.
He also said steps had been taken to clear paddy procurement arrears due to farmers up to June-end. The government has allocated ₹150 crore for the purpose, and the disbursement of the amount has already begun, the Minister said. “The government is committed to ensuring the welfare of people from all sections of society during the Onam season,” Mr. Siddique added.
Wayanad district pachayat president Chandrika Krishnan presided.
Special squads formed by the Wayanad district administration to check price hikes, hoarding, and black marketing of essential commodities ahead of Onam detected irregularities at 12 shops on Friday. Squads comprising officials of Civil Supplies, Legal Metrology, Police, Revenue and Food Safety departments conducted over 120 inspections in Kambalakkad, Panamaram, Kalpetta, Mananthavady, and Sulthan Bathery.
A squad led by District Supply Officer P.S. Praveen inspected 40 public distribution establishments in Kalpetta and detected seven irregularities.
Legal action has been initiated against establishments that failed to display price lists in a manner visible to the public. Mr. Praveen said the squads would also seize LPG cylinders illegally stored at hotels and initiate legal action against violators.
Published – August 14, 2026 07:34 pm IST
