Kerala Govt sanctions ₹100 Cr for Supplyco to tackle price hike

Thiruvananthapuram: In a bid to curb the rising prices of essential commodities, the Kerala government has sanctioned ₹100 crore to the State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) as part of its ongoing market intervention strategy.

Finance Minister K N Balagopal announced the allocation on Sunday, stating that the additional funding would strengthen the state's efforts to keep essential goods affordable, particularly in the lead-up to the Onam season.

“By allocating ₹100 crore now, it will be possible to ensure the procurement of essential commodities, including for the upcoming Onam season, in advance,” the Minister said in an official statement.

Balagopal highlighted that ₹250 crore had already been earmarked for Supplyco in this year’s state budget for similar intervention measures. He also recalled that last year, although ₹250 crore was initially allocated, the total amount released reached ₹489 crore, including an additional ₹284 crore.

Providing a broader picture, the Minister said that from 2011–12 to 2024–25, the government has extended ₹7,630 crore in support to Supplyco for direct market intervention. Out of this, only ₹410 crore was disbursed during the tenure of the previous UDF government, while the remaining ₹7,220 crore came under successive LDF administrations, he added.

The state continues to rely on Supplyco’s role in stabilising market prices by ensuring timely procurement and distribution of essential goods at fair prices.