Supplyco’s Go Express marts will function for longer hours: Keralam Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob

Supplyco’s Go Express marts in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode will open for longer hours and in the future transition to round-the-clock operations, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Anoop Jacob has said. He was responding to a question on improving Supplyco’s customer services through the functioning of 24-hour depots during Question Hour in the Keralam Assembly on Monday.

The Minister said Supplyco outlets had specific timings at present, with exceptions made only for festivals. The government had examined the proposal for Supplyco outlets to remain open 24 hours a day. Accordingly, Supplyco Go Express marts were being launched in the convenience store model as part of the 100-day action plan of the government. The marts are planned at railway stations, bus terminals, and airports. The convenience stores would be launched in more places after examining their viability in the three cities where they have been opened.

Rejecting the claim of former Minister for Civil Supplies G.R. Anil about record sales during Onam in the last year of the Left Democratic Front government, the Minister said Supplyco’s Onam turnover had increased 13% from that in 2026. Sales of not only subsidiary but also non-subsidiary items had increased. Some ration shops have been converted into K-Stores. An assessment of their functioning had found the need to restructure them to achieve the objective of making ration outlets more profitable and making more products available to consumers. However, sale of 13 subsidiary items through ration shops was not under government consideration.

Responding to “widespread non-availability” of food kits to people under the extremely poor category, the Minister said the government would examine if food essentials could be supplied to them through kits or other alternative ways. Free kits had been given to AAY category households during Onam, he said.

Paddy procurement

On procurement of paddy through Supplyco, the Minister said farmer registration had begun much earlier this time when usually it was done at the time of harvest. It has now been completed. Paddy procurement had begun in Palakkad; it was expected to reach full swing this week.

On delays in payment to farmers for paddy procurement through the PRS (paddy receipt sheet) loan scheme, Mr. Jacob said while the PRS scheme was still being followed, many practical difficulties were being experienced. The government was considering direct payment to farmers through NABARD financial assistance; the Chief Minister had convened a meeting in this regard. Further steps would be taken on the basis of the report of the meeting.