Coconut oil in ration shops: State govt starts survey

AFTER repeated demands from farmers to distribute coconut oil through ration shops to ensure fair price for coconut and copra, the state civil supplies department has started a survey to find out if ration cardholders would be ready to buy half litre of coconut oil in the place of one litre of palmolein oil.

- M SARAVANAN

According to sources, ration shop supervisors of several districts have been provided forms to record the feedback of cardholders.

"The study will be conducted till the end of August. After collecting details, the district administrations will compile a report and send it to the state government," said Coimbatore Collector Kranti Kumar Pati.

Official sources from the food department said the government has also sought inputs from collectors of districts bordering Kerala, including Kanniyakumari and Tenkasi, regarding the proposal. An official said, "Some residents in these border districts may prefer using coconut oil for cooking.