Prices went up, admits minister P Thilothaman

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government finally admitted that the prices of essential commodities have indeed gone up.  While food and civil supplies minister P. Thilothaman said that the state sells essential commodities through its fair price shops at a subsidy of 40 per cent, the prices of certain oils, spices and vegetables have shot above 60 per cent. “We have noticed a marginal rise in prices of essential commodities including rice and vegetables,” the minister said in a written reply to the Assembly on Monday. Truth is, the prices of various varieties of rice have gone up by an average Rs 22 a kg after the LDF came to power. In the case of vegetables, the average rise in prices was Rs 60 a kg. Even the prices of sugar, milk and eggs have increased.

While there is a 73 per cent increase in the price of big onion, that of small onion has shot up by 185 per cent. The price of tomato has swelled even more, by 188 per cent. Except for cabbage, the prices of all common vegetables — beans, ladies finger, cucumber, brinjal, snake gourd, ash gourd — have increased by over 25 per cent after the LDF came to power. “After the LDF government came to power, Supplyco has not reduced the subsidy amount. Even when there has been a general rise in prices, we have been able to sell essential goods at least 40 per cent less than the market price,” Mr Thilothaman said. 

The minister said that as part of the market intervention scheme during Onam, district fairs and taluk-level fairs and special Onam fairs would be conducted.  Besides, Onam mini fairs will be organised alongside Supplyco stalls. In panchayats where there are no Supplyco stalls, special mini fairs will be conducted. The minister said that as part of holding down prices more items would be sold at a discount of 10-20 per cent through Horticorp and Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam (VFPCK).