Supplyco (Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation) has targeted sales worth about Rs.300 crore during this festival season starting with Ramzan and ending with Onam.
Supplyco is in the process of building up its stock to meet the peak season demand. Procurements are being made to ensure that there is at least 50 per cent more stock than usual. “Usually a single tender is called for procurement. But considering the festival season, a second tender was also called based on which orders are now being placed,” sources told The Hindu .
Supplyco is also focusing on vegetables as never before to rein in prices. Stalls are being set up at its fairs in association with agencies like State Horticulture Corporation and the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam. Vegetables are being sold at rates that are 25 per cent to 30 per cent lower than the market prices.
Supplyco has also relaxed restrictions in the supply of its subsidised items like rice, sugar and pulses. For instance, ration card holders will get a monthly allocation of 20 kg of rice instead of the previous 10 kg, two kg each of sugar and pulses instead of one kg.
It is for the government to decide whether to extend the relaxation in quantity beyond the festival season. Compared to the open market prices, Supplyco sells these items at a subsidy that ranges between Rs. 10 and Rs.15.
Spiralling prices of essential commodities called for market intervention by Supplyco, prompting it to launch its Onam fairs much earlier than usual. Normally the Onam fairs of the public sector player are limited to a period of two weeks or at best a month.
This time around they will be running close to two months. Supplyco’s five metro bazaars across the State have been up and running since July 10 and its 12 town bazaars since July 15. Stalls of various other government agencies like Milma are also being set up at these fairs. Besides, Onam and Ramzan fairs are being organised in Supplyco’s 2,000-odd outlets.
Supplyco has also introduced a scheme whereby lucky winners will be selected through a draw from among those purchasing goods in excess of Rs. 1,000.
