Amid debate over fish, vegetable price hike; Oppn walks out of Kerala Assembly

Thiruvananthapuram: The opposition organised a walkout to express their displeasure with the state government's handling of price increases. According to G R Anil, the minister of food and civil supplies, inflation is a national problem that may be addressed through market action.

He was responding to a motion for adjournment made in the Legislative Assembly by Congressman Roji M. John. Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan claimed that the LDF administration has turned into Supplyco's destroyer as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Roji criticised the minister of food and civil supplies for failing to curb inflation and expressed shock that the LDF government did not recognise the gravity of the situation, the New Indian Express reported.

The opposition was infuriated when Anil informed the assembly that he was unaware of the inflation. According to Roji, the soaring cost of vegetables has pushed Malayalis to eat sambar without the lady finger, drumstick, or tomato these days.

“The price of vegetables, fish, meat and eggs have doubled. The people are unable to go to the market. The LDF government had promised to provide chicken at Rs. 85 per kilo. But where is it? In fact, the people are unable to get a chicken leg at this price. I am keen to know whether the state government is providing any monetary benefits to Civil Supplies for market intervention. The minister himself had earlier said here that his department had not received any amount which has been earmarked for the food and civil supplies department by the finance department, ”, said Roji.

A day after Supplyco's 50th anniversary was officially celebrated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Roji took a jibe saying that "Supplyco is without supply” while it greets customers with empty racks. The youth MLA did not spare Pinarayi Vijayan either, arguing that Supplyco ought to receive at least the rent paid for the helicopter.

Meanwhile, Anil recalled having a meeting with P Prasad, his colleague in agriculture. He further accused the UDF of failing to support the government of the LDF in New Delhi against the anti-Kerala sentiment.

Opposition Leader V D Satheesan responded to Anil's statement by launching into a diatribe against the food and civil supply department's irresponsible attitude.

“When Supplyco is commemorating its 50th anniversary, the LDF government has become its destroyer. The inflation has happened from 50% - 200%. It's unfortunate that the food and civil supplies minister has replied about rice being distributed from ration shops when the Opposition's motion had been on inflation. We collected the comparative prices of vegetables and other essential goods from various markets including Horticorp outlets," said Satheesan.

He continued by saying that Horticorp stores were also destroyed by the LDF government due to their high costs.