Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 29 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said the government had stepped up efforts to prevent price hikes during Onam.
Speaking at a press conference here, Satheesan said the Food and Civil Supplies Department had been allocated Rs 448 crore to prevent price hikes during the 10-day harvest festival, of which Rs 273 crore was for market intervention and Rs 154 crore as paddy procurement bonus.
Thiruvonam, the 10th day of the festival, is expected to fall on August 26.
The chief minister also said more than six lakh free Onam kits, each containing 16 items, would be distributed to yellow card holders and residents of welfare institutions from August 10 to 20.
He further said stocks of rice and wheat had been
ensured in the market, and that Onam mega trade fairs and markets would be organised in various districts. PTI HMP SSK
