THIRUVANANTHPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at his press conference on Tuesday has said the distribution of the free Onam food kit will start on Thursday.

The free grocery kits of 11 items will be distributed among 88 lakh ration cardholders ahead of this year’s Onam, despite the Covid pandemic.

The kits worth Rs 500 were packed in 2000 packaging after ensuring the quantity and quality are intact. They will be distributes through ration shops.

In the first phase, kits will be distributed to 5,95,000 families who are Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) yellow cardholders (August 13 to 16). Following this, 31 lakh Priority Household (PHH) pink cardholders will be provided with the kit. (August 19 to 22.).

The free food kit will be distributed to the rest 51 lakh cardholders (blue and white) before Onam. Besides this, 10 kg rice will be distributed, from August 13, at Rs 15 per kg rate to non-priority sections.

Onam markets will be functional in all districts from August 21 to 31.