Floating mall is now relief camp

ALAPPUZHA: The Consumerfed's floating superstore launched with much fanfare has turned into a safe shelter for two flood-displaced families in Kuttanad's Kainakary village.

The fair price shop which used to cater to more than 100,000 people in 12 panchayats is now cobwebbed and moth-eaten, abandoned by the Pampa riverside for over a year.

The superstore was also a tourist attraction since its launch in 2009 by minister G. Sudhakaran, who was then holding the portfolio of cooperation. But corruption in Consumerfed ruined the floating beauty.

Sameej, whose family of four lives in it since their home was flooded, don't want to talk about it, fearing eviction.

He says the boat is now useless and officials have taken away its Yamaha engine.

"We don't know where it went along with its stocks. The structure was idling here for over a year," he says.Its service bringing essentials from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m had gained traction among villagers. It used to sell rice, wheat and sugar at 10 to 15 per cent below market rates along with other goods."It had average daily sales of Rs 60,000. It collapsed because of corruption during the previous regime," alleges Vineesh, a resident. "It's so helpful for poor farmers as it delivered things at their doorstep."

Its condition reminds the vigilance case against its former managing director Riji G. Nair and former president Joy Thomas.

After the VACB detected irregularities, the previous government suspended Mr Nair and disbanded its board of directors.

Interestingly, Mr Nair was its MD during the previous tenure of Mr Sudhakaran, and the venture was known as his brainchild.