Supplyco expects record ₹500-crore turnover this Onam, says Minister
Supplyco, Kerala's state-run retail chain, is on track to record its highest-ever Onam turnover, with Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Anoop Jacob projecting sales of ₹500 crore by September 4. The announcement came as the organisation's sales crossed ₹422.17 crore as of 4 pm on Tuesday, a performance Mr. Jacob described as "an appreciable feat" and "a recent record" for the organisation.
The minister was speaking on Monday after flagging off a mobile ration shop at Thalukandam Unnathi under Kuttampuzha panchayat in Kothamangalam block, a project launched under the State government's 100-day action plan. At that point, Supplyco's sales turnover had touched ₹302 crore, with the minister expressing confidence that the ₹500-crore milestone could be reached in just 25 days.
Sales figures and comparisons
According to figures released by the state government, sales during the 35-day Onam period stood at ₹422.17 crore, comprising ₹153.49 crore from subsidised products and ₹268.89 crore from non-subsidised items. This compares with sales of ₹385.42 crore recorded over 35 days from August 1 to September 4 during the previous LDF government, of which ₹180.03 crore came from subsidised products and ₹205.11 crore from non-subsidised items.
Supplyco recorded ₹350.21 crore in sales during the 25-day period from August 1 to August 25 this year. Last year, sales worth ₹383 crore were recorded between August 1 and September 4, and this year the same turnover is expected to be achieved between August 1 and August 25, Mr. Jacob said.
Drivers of increased sales
The government attributed the increased sales to greater customer dependence on Supplyco, adequate stock, and unchanged or reduced prices of several subsidised essentials. Notably, the price of Sabari subsidised coconut oil was reduced by ₹20 per litre, from ₹249 to ₹229.
As part of its Onam campaign, Supplyco organised three mega trade fairs, 11 district fairs and 126 assembly constituency fairs.
Mobile ration shops and rice distribution
Mr. Jacob said the mobile ration shop programme will be further expanded to areas with limited transport facilities, aiming to ensure timely delivery of ration items to marginalised tribal communities.
The minister also reported that 1.65 lakh metric tonnes of rice had been distributed through public distribution centres and ration shops during the Onam season. The supply of rice through the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) received a good response, and the possibility of continuing it after Onam will be explored by the State government. Continuing the project could help regulate rice prices in the market, he added.
Event details
The function at which Mr. Jacob spoke was presided over by Shibu Thekkumpuram, MLA, at the Vadattupara mini stadium. Dean Kuriakose, MP, was the chief guest. People's representatives, including Kuttampuzha grama panchayat president Mary Kuriakose, and officials, including district supply officer V. R. Shaji, attended the event.