The State government will strongly intervene in the market through Consumerfed to curtail rising prices, Minister for Cooperation C.N. Balakrishnan has said.
He was presiding over the launch of ‘Triveni,' Consumerfed's packaged drinking water, here on Wednesday. The Minister said that mechanisms would be put in place to make available commodities at lower prices, as is done during festival seasons. For Christmas, festival fairs would be set up in 5,000 centres. Measures to curtail prices of medicines would also be put in place. As many as 2,500 new Neethi medical stores would be opened to reach out to all panchayats. Some traders and pharmaceutical companies were trying to curb the consumer-friendly moves of the government, a press note issued here quoted the Minister as saying.
The Minister said the entry of Consumerfed into packaged water segment through ‘Triveni' was an attempt to end exploitation in this sector. Consumerfed plans to sell one-litre bottle for Rs.14 at Sannidham. ‘Triveni' water will be sold at Rs.12 a bottle in Pampa and Nilackal. Consumerfed has entered into an agreement with NEST for this project. Other than through Triveni stores, ‘Triveni' water would be sold at Triveni Coffee Houses and Neethi stores at Rs.10 a bottle.
Mr. Balakrishnan released Consumerfed's in-house newsletter ‘Sangamam' by handing over the first copy to Secretary, Cooperation, V.M. Gopala Menon.
Mayor K. Chandrika was present on the occasion.
