Rising prices cast shadow over Onam; govt. must act urgently, says Pinarayi

With Onam just days away, Keralam’s Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan has criticised the government for failing to check the steep rise in prices of essential commodities, warning that the escalating cost of living is putting families under mounting pressure.

Speaking to reporters in Thrissur on Saturday, Mr. Vijayan said prices of rice, sugar, vegetables and cooking oil were rising steadily, with rice alone becoming costlier by ₹15. Vegetables and fruits, he said, were witnessing daily price increases, adding to the burden on households preparing for Onam.

Mr. Vijayan said Keralam had previously maintained strong market intervention mechanisms during the Onam season. Since 2016, prices of 13 essential commodities had remained unchanged at Supplyco outlets, he said. “That system has now changed,” he said, alleging that market intervention through Supplyco and ration shops had weakened following the change in government.