THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has given strict instructions to the food department to provide free food kits to as many people as possible through ration shops before Vishu. The CM intervened after coming across a report published by Kerala Kaumudi which pointed out that even five percent of the people did not get the kits even though the distribution had started on the 29th.

Following this, the office of the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies called all the Supply Officers and Supplyco Regional Managers and directed them to ensure that the distribution of kits is not disrupted. They were also directed to deliver the kits as soon as possible. The Food Minister's office has informed the Chief Minister that a maximum number of kits will be delivered by Monday.

It is believed that that the free kit has created a favourable public sentiment for the government. The government decided to provide the kit in April, as the distribution of kits had helped the LDF record great success in the local body elections. However, the distribution of kits got delayed soon after the completion of the assembly elections.

Officials from the Food Minister's Office have strongly advised that the kits should be given to the yellow and pink cardholders before Vishu where it is in short supply. It also directed to provide kits to all types of ration card holders irrespective of colour in the ration shops where maximum delivery is possible. The head of Supplyco also directed the regional officers to report where the kit was not received.

As many as 1,51,967 people received Vishu kit in the state on Saturday. This brings the total number of recipients of the kit to 5,68,086. Thiruvananthapuram has the lowest at 12,343. In Thrissur, 97,805 people received the kit.