Baština (Jan 2014)
Supply to the population in Kraljevo from 1911 to 1951
Abstract
Kraljevo was one of the most destroyed town in Serbia during the Second World War. The town suffered a lot of causalities and significant destruction of infrastructure. All economic-related activities during the war were almost benumbed, and agricultural production was reduced to a minimum due to military actions and the lack of labour force. Although it had been significantly devastated, it could not be counted on the significant deliveries of food, since the town was not at the list of priority - it was considered as prolific and rich area. Shortage of supply of foodstuffs was caused by the harsh traffic, there were not enough wagons and drafts animals for goods transport, and railway traffic was overloaded. The provision of sufficient quantities of food was turned out to be the most important priority in the work of authorities upon the liberation. In Kraljevo, quickly and simultaneously after the formation of new authorities the supply with wheat and other provisions was organized as per the principle of guaranteed and non-guaranteed supply. Guaranteed supply was in the competence of the Ministry of Commerce and Supply, thus it was divided to: workers, miners and railway men. The supply was carried out from state warehouses while co-operatives supplied only members. Town's authorities followed the instructions from the Decrees and Orders from federal and republic government. In the town the practice of guaranteed supply of some categories of population was implemented. The control of prices and squeeze food from farmers of strategic agricultural products was also implemented. The authorities sought to curb the work of private sector, but not to shut it down completely.
