Thiruvananthapuram: Finance Minister K N Balagopal has announced an additional allocation of ₹50 crore to the State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) for market intervention ahead of Christmas and New Year. The fund aims to prevent a rise in prices of essential commodities during the festive season.

Earlier this year, ₹250 crore was earmarked for Supplyco in the state budget as part of Onam preparations. With the latest announcement, the total allocation for market intervention this year stands at ₹300 crore.

Last year, although ₹250 crore was set aside in the budget, the government eventually provided ₹489 crore, including an additional ₹284 crore.

From 2011–12 to 2024–25, the government has extended ₹7,680 crore as direct market intervention assistance to Supplyco. Of this, ₹4,100 crore was released during the five years of the previous UDF government, while the remaining ₹7,270 crore was provided by successive LDF governments.