THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even though wholesale shops in the State have reduced the prices of essential commodities following the Government's intervention to hold prices, retail shops are yet to reduce prices in a corresponding manner. Retailers should cooperate with the Government's initiatives to bring down the prices of essential commodities, Minister for Cooperation G. Sudhakaran has said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the `Sahakarana Vipananam Keraleeyam' programme of the State Government designed to offer essential commodities at prices 15 to 45 per cent lower than in the open market. More than 3,000 such outlets will be set up across the State. This coupled with the stores of the Civil Supplies department will result in close to 8,000 stores in the State where people can buy goods at lower prices, he said.

The Government has decided to take stringent action against hoarders; they may even have to go to jail. At a time when multinational firms are indulging in hoarding and in creating price hikes it is the duty of the Government to protect the people. Multinational firms are today going to the villages and buying agricultural produces for higher prices. But this will not last long. Today if they offer Rs.8 in place of Rs.4 they will not offer anything tomorrow.

"The demon of price cannot be captured till Manmohan Singh and Chidambaram end their American game. But the LDF Government will protect the people of Kerala from being possessed by this demon," he added.

In his address Food Minister C. Divakaran said the Centre has now realised that it has a big role to play in preventing price rise. This is precisely what the Left parties have been saying all along. Now the Centre has reduced the cost of diesel and petrol, he pointed out.

Mr. Divakaran made the first sale of a groceries kit.

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