Archive · 27 Jul 2026
Kerala boosts Onam shopping with price shield
The Kerala government is taking big steps to make sure people can afford to celebrate Onam, the state's biggest festival.
They are setting up special markets and trade fairs where people can buy things like rice, wheat, and vegetables at lower prices.
The government is also giving extra rice and wheat to people who have ration cards and will start giving out free Onam kits to families in need.
They are doing this to stop people from hoarding goods and to make sure everyone can enjoy the festival without worrying about high prices.
Kerala government announces market intervention plan for Onam festival.
Onam Trade Fairs to start on August 8, with mega fairs in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode.
Onam Markets to be opened in all 126 Assembly constituencies.
Government to release 1.29 lakh metric tonnes of rice and 24,500 metric tonnes of wheat.
Blue ration card holders to receive additional 3 kg of rice and 2 kg of wheat.
- Who
- Kerala government, led by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan
- What
- Announced market intervention plan for Onam festival
- When
- Less than a month before Onam, starting August 8
- Where
- Kerala, India
- Why
- To ensure affordable prices and uninterrupted supplies of essential commodities during Onam celebrations
Government Intervention
Market Forces
Price Control
Government Intervention
The government's intervention ensures affordable prices for essential commodities during Onam.
Market Forces
Market forces should determine prices to reflect actual supply and demand.
Subsidies and Free Kits
Government Intervention
Subsidies and free Onam kits help low-income families afford festive necessities.
Market Forces
Subsidies and free kits may lead to dependency and strain government resources.
- Festival
- Onam
- Chief Minister
- V.D. Satheesan
- Food and Civil Supplies Minister
- Anoop Jacob
- Start Date of Onam Trade Fairs
- August 8
- Number of Mega Trade Fairs
- 3
- Number of District-Level Fairs
- 11
- Number of Onam Markets
- 126
- Rice to be Released
- 1.29 lakh metric tonnes
- Wheat to be Released
- 24,500 metric tonnes
- Additional Rice for Blue Ration Card Holders
- 3 kg
- Additional Wheat for Blue Ration Card Holders
- 2 kg
- Budget for Onam Kits
- Rs 53 crore
- Total Sanctioned Amount
- Rs 448.05 crore