The Hindu Business Line : Supplyco geared to meet Onam demands: Minister

THE Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) will make available all essential commodities as well as consumer items of good quality and without any quantity restriction through its outlets spread over the State for the Onam festival, beginning on September 14.

The State Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Mr Adoor Prakash, told Business Line that five metro fairs had already begun operations. Such fairs would be held at district and taluk levels in all districts, he added.

In addition, all theitems would be made available at around 1,100 rationshops in the first phase for the benefit of the poor.

The Minister said it was Government policy that 10 per cent of 14,144 ration shops in the State would sell all essential commodities in 2005-06 on an experimental basis. According to him, the response from the ration shop owners has been good.

Quality products would be sold to people below poverty line at low prices by utilising the subsidy given by the Government, he said.

Besides, `Nadan Kuthari' (traditional rice) will be made available through ration shops in six districts, where Supplyco has procured paddy from farmers during the last season. Already 60,000 tonne paddy has been procured by the corporation from six districts, he said.

Of this, around 30,000 tonne of paddy has been milled and the rice is being distributed through the public distribution system under various schemes.

For those living below the poverty line, it is sold at Rs 6.20 a kg, while under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana at Rs 3 per kg. For those eligible under the Annapurna scheme, 10 kg of rice will be supplied free of cost, he said. Those above the poverty line will have to pay Rs 8.90 a kg.

Supplyco will also supply all commodities for sale through Onam bazaars run by the State Co-operative Department, he said.

According to Mr Prakash, in order to ensure quality of the products, quality checking is done at four stages. To meet the growing demand for edible oil, especially during the Onam season, Supplyco will make available coconut oil at low prices through its outlets. Random checks would be carried out to check oil adulteration, he added.

Supplyco, which had been making losses in recent years, made an operational profit of Rs 11.88 crore in the second half of last fiscal. The total turnover during the current fiscal is estimated at Rs 700 crore as against Rs 555 crore last financial year and Rs 454 crore the year before, he added.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Govt to tighten disclosure norms for company deposits

AP Govt firm on GO 610 implementation: CM

Supplyco geared to meet Onam demands: Minister

Don't politicise Chidambaram issue: SC Bar association

New norms to check misuse of ADR/GDR funds: Ministry