Govt to provide additional goodies apart from free Onam kit, distribution of kits from August 10

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Food and Civil Supplies Minister GR Anil on Tuesday said that the food department has made preparations to make this year's Onam prosperous and the government intends to have a strong market intervention to control the price hike. Preparations are underway to start distribution of the free kit containing 14 items including cashew nuts, cardamom, ghee and cloth bags from August 10. Distribution of food kits to all ration card holders will be completed before Onam. Necessary action will be taken to supply quality food grains in correct quantity and weight. This time on Onam, apart from free Onam kit, all ration card holders will be given 5 kg raw rice, 5 kg matta rice and 1 kg sugar at subsidized rates.

Kerala has asked the central government to provide ragi and white pea to replace the wheat share that was cut down, which the centre has assured they will consider. The minister informed that if this demand of Kerala is accepted, ragi powder and white peas will be distributed to the people through ration shops.