Kerala State Co-Operative Consumer's Federation Ltd has opened 3000 retail centres, where 25 items were sold at nearly 15 to 70 per cent less than open market price, to check rise in prices of essential commodities during festival season, an official said.

The 'Vishu Retail centres' opened on April 1 would function till April 14, a release issued by CONSUMERFED managing director Rigi G Nair said here on Monday.

After the LDF government came to power in May 2006, the Federation had a total turnover of Rs.477.40 crores through 42,210 retail centres it opened. It also extended a financial benefit of Rs.213 crores to the commonman, he added.

Four varietes of rice were sold through these outlets at a price of Rs.13 per kg and 14 per kg. Price of sugar was fixed at Rs.20 per kg.

Besides this, as part of paddy procurement by CONSUMERFED, the paddy procurred by the federation have been converted to rice and sold under the brand name 'Thiruveni Brand Nadan Rice' at Rs.20 per kg to ration card holders, he said.

To prevent any kind of malpractices and irregularities, the CONSUMERFED vigilance officials have been instructed to conduct raids in these centres and also take stern action against officials indulging in malpractice, he said.