THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The free food kits provided by the Kerala state government to the people ahead of Onam celebration is ready for distribution. The state-level inauguration of Onam food kit distribution is on August 22 at Thiruvananthapuram. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced in a Facebook post that the kit distribution will begin on August 23.

On August 23 and 24, the food kits will be distributed to AAY(yellow) cardholders. PHH(pink) cardholders will get the kits on August 25, 26 and 27. NPS(blue) cardholders will receive the kits on August 29, 30 and 31. On September 1, 2 and 3, NPNS(white) cardholders will get the kits.

The cardholders who were unable to receive kits on these dates could receive them on September 4-7. There will be no distribution after September 7. The kits are being distributed to 87 lakh ration-card holders. The kits will be delivered to the doorsteps of 37,634 people in 890 welfare institutions and 119 tribal villages in the state. The government has allocated Rs 425 crore for Onam food kit.

The kit contains 14 items including 500 ml of coconut oil, Raw rice, Mung bean, 250 gm of Tur dal, 100 gm of chilli powder, turmeric powder, tea, jaggery/chips, 1 kg of sugar, Salt, 50 gm of cashew nuts, ghee, 20 gm of cardamom and a cloth bag. . Apart from this, on the occasion of Onam, yellow cardholders will be specially provided with one kg sugar at Rs 21 and 10 kg rice at Rs 10.90 per kg (5 kg each of Pachari and Puzhukalari), informed the Chief Minister.