Govt to take action against traders

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 15 (UNI) Kerala Cooperation Minister G Sudhakaran today said the government would take stern action against those small and medium traders who are not ready to reduce prices of essential commodities.

Inaugurating 'Sahakarana Vipananam Keraleeyam', a project to open retail outlets across the state by the Consumerfed to arrest the price hike, he claimed that with the effective intervention by the government the prices of essential commodities were decreased by 15 to 25 per cent in wholesale market.

However, this decreasing trend was not seen in retail markets and small traders were not yet ready to reduce the prices, he said and warned that stringent action would be taken against them.

Mr Sudhakaran said by February 25 the Consumerfed would open 5,000 such outlets throughout the state.

State Civil Supplies Minister C Divakaran, who also attend the function said the government had decided to continue the interference in markets to arrest the price hike of essential commodities.

UNI