The Kerala government today said prices of essential commodities in the state rose sharply in 2011-15, but the government is able to check the the rise to a great extent.
State Food Minister Anoop Jacob told the Assembly that there was a two-fold rise in prices of food items during the period. Prices of vegetables went up 21.16 per cent.
Price of rice rose 17-32 per cent while that of coconut oil was up 50-70 per cent, he said.
In the case of pulses and food items, the increase was by 19-47 per cent. Milk got dearer by 59 per cent while price of eggs went up 35 per cent.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said effective market intervention is needed to control price rise during the upcoming Onam festivities.
Speaking at a meeting to discuss Onam fairs, he said distribution of essential commodities should be done in a satisfactory manner through the consumer federation, supply companies and other retail outlets.
Fairs should be conducted so that essential items can be provided to consumers at a reasonable price, he said.
The next Cabinet meeting is going to take up distribution of Onam kits to below poverty line (BPL) families, festival special sugar and five-kg sugar for school students.
State Co-operation Minister C N Balakrishnan and Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan were present.
