Government to take steps for market intervention

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With prices of essential commodities on the upward march in view of the ensuing Sabarimala season, the state government is taking steps to ensure that vegetable prices and the price of food items sold through restaurants do not shoot up.The government is also planning an amendment to the existing law for enabling health inspectors to examine food samples.Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who held a video conference with the district collectors here on Friday, said that the government would take urgent steps for market intervention and ensure the quality of food items sold in the state during the pilgrimage season.District collectors have been given instructions regarding this, he said. More outlets of Horticorp, Vegetable and Fruits Promotion Council Keralam (VFPCK) and the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) will be opened in all districts.Chandy also announced that the government would subsidised vegetables. The Agriculture Production Commissioner has been asked to convene a meeting of the Agriculture Department, Horticorp and Supplyco to discuss the matter. The government will take necessary measures to prevent pilgrims from other states being exploited by vendors and restaurants. The price list has to be displayed in Malayalam and English in hotels and restaurants. Action will be taken against establishments that violate the directive, he said. District collectors have been asked to call a meeting of hotel and restaurant owners on November 14.District rationing officers have been asked to ensure the quality of food items procured through the Food Corporation of India.Additional Chief Secretary K Jayakumar said that the motto for this year’s pilgrimage season should be accident-free, garbage-free, exploitation-free. Warning signs and safety fences will be installed at accident-prone areas. DGP Jacob Punnoose, secretaries for agriculture, environment and Supplyco director were present.