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Govt. to intervene in market

By Our Special Correspondent

Essential goods being brought to Thiruvananthapuram in bullock carts because of the truckers' strike. — Photo: S. Gopakumar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM APRIL. 18. The Government has decided to swing into action now that the first round of talks between the Centre and the truckers has failed and the strike shows every sign of continuing for a few more days.

The Food and Civil Supplies Minister, G. Karthikeyan, who announced this here today, said that the Government proposed to intervene in the vegetable market first in order bring down the spiralling prices of vegetables.

As part of it, the Government would start supplying vegetables at fair prices through all Maveli Stores, Labham Markets and Super Stores in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts from tomorrow.

The Minister claimed that the prices of other essential commodities had not gone up. He added that there were enough stocks of these items in the Supplyco markets.

Mr. Karthikeyan reviewed the situation precipitated by the lorry strike with the civil supplies officials.

He asked them to take concerted steps to check the rise in the prices of essentials and vegetables. They were asked to take on hire vehicles, procure vegetables directly from neighbouring States and distribute them throughout the State.

He wanted them to do it within two days. He also told them that the Chief Minister had convened a meeting of all the departments concerned tomorrow.

The Minister asked the officials to make use of the KSRTC buses also for bringing vegetables and other essentials to the State.

He said that he had already obtained the clearance of the Transport Minister, R. Balakrishna Pillai, for the purpose.

He also held discussions with the Agriculture Minister, K. R. Gouri, who extended her department's full cooperation for the civil supplies machinery's market intervention efforts.

Mr. Karthikeyan said that there was no shortage of vegetables as such.

The problem was posed by the increase in the prices of some items. It had to be checked.

The Supplyco markets would distribute such items in particular.

They included large and small onion and green chilly.

He warned of strict action against those who tried to create artificial shortage in order to jack up prices under the cover of the lorry strike.

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