KOCHI: The IRDP/SGSY Trade Fair began at the Ernakulathappan Ground, here, on Saturday. The fair was inaugurated by K V Thomas, Union Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies. The Minister said that a subsidy of Rs. 60 crore has been provided to the state by the Central government for this Onam. “Earlier, a ration card owner was eligible to get only 400 grams of sugar. But now it has been raised to one kilogram. Rice which used to be available at Rs. 23 per kilo is now available for Rs. 11.85. Similarly, wheat is now available at Rs. 8.85 instead of Rs. 16,” he said.Excise Minister K Babu, district panchayat president Eldhose Kunnappally, District Collector P A Sheikh Pareed, district panchayat vice-president Bindu George, poverty alleviation programme project director N Vinodini were present.An initiative of the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP)/ Swarnajayanthi Gram Swarozagar Yojana (SGSY), the fair is meant to be a platform for various local bodies to exhibit and sell their products. Organisers announced that a total of 19 panchayats are participating. Out of the 32 stalls put up, 14 are from various parts of Ernakulam, 8 from Idukki, 5 from Palakkad, 2 each from Thrissur and Alappuzha and one from Kozhikode.While stalls from Idukki showcase a variety of spices, tea dust and honey, those from Ernakulam district sell tamarind, medicated oils, handmade ornaments, soap items and an assortment of pickles. Stalls selling Palakkadan knifes are drawing the largest crowds, letting customers choose from knifes and sickles of various shapes and sizes, with a price range of `15 to `300. Another favourite among customers is the stall from Paravur which sells Ramacham (Khus grass) products such as slippers, Kathakali faces, elephant figurines and many others. The stall from Azhutha panchayat is also drawing customers with its many kinds of tea dusts. The famous Marayur Jaggery is available at the stall from Devikulam Panchayat.A stall by Saantwanam, an initiative of Kudumbashree, provides spot readings of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the blood at very low rates. The stall also has the provision for measuring Body Mass Index (BMI). The trade fair will be on till Friday.
Comments
0 comment