Govt to start 4150 fair price outlets in cooperative sector

KOCHI: Taking into consideration the rise in price of rice, the government will start 4150 fair price outlets in the cooperative sector to tackle the price hike and to provide people rice at a subsidised rate, Kerala Cooperation Minister G Sudhakaran today said.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the officials in the cooperative sector and office bearers of CONSUMERFED, Sudhakaran said rice supplied through these outlets would be priced at Rs 14 per kg. Six categories of rice will be supplied through these outlets.

Even if the market prices of rice increased, the price at the fair price shop would remain the same, he said, adding the number of fair price shops, to be started in each district, will depend on the population in that district.

During Christmas and Bakrid festival 1000 fair price markets would be started and the state-level inauguration will be held on December 14 at Kottayam.

The daily market analysis from towns and villages collected by cooperative sector showed that people in villages were more affected by the price rise, Sudhakaran said