Kozhikode: The Civil Supplies Corporation is planning a maximum number of Onam-Bakrid markets on a larger scale to control prices of essential commodities this time.
Metro fairs in the cities, district fairs in the district headquarters and Onam markets in the taluks will offer essential commodities at reasonable prices.
Excise minister T.P. Ramakrishnan opened the Supplyco's district-level fair on Saturday here.
City corporation mayor Thottathil Raveendran, who presided over the function, urged the public to make the maximum use of discounts and quality products.
"Kozhikode district alone will see an increase of Supplyco markets this year from 112 to 200," the minister said.
"There will be mini Onam fairs at all Supplyco outlets."
The Metro fair for the city will be at the EMS Stadium.
In 2017-18 fiscal year, the government had spent Rs 500 crore as subsidy.
"We were able to start 21 Maveli stores, ten supermarkets and two people's stores in the last two years. This festival season alone will see more than 8,000 markets and fairs," he said.
"Under the agriculture department, we will start 2000 homegrown vegetable stores. Supplyco will open 1662 markets. We have urged the Union government to resume distribution of 16 lakh-ton ration rice."
