THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister G.R Anil said that ragi powder and white chickpeas, which the Centre had promised to provide instead of wheat, will be distributed through ration shops at fair prices from the next month. As a pilot project, ragi powder will be distributed through all the ration shops in Palakkad, Wayanad and Idukki districts and through one panchayat ration shop in other districts. If successful, the project will be extended to all ration shops. Speaking at a press conference held at Kesari Memorial Trust, the minister said that the agriculture department has been requested to expand ragi cultivation in Kerala.

"The Centre has informed that it cannot provide wheat for one year. The distribution of 10 kg of rice announced on the occasion of Onam has started. So far more than 65 lakh cardholders (71 percent) have purchased Onam Kit. Arrangements will be made so that cardholders can buy Onam kit from any ration shop in the next few days," the minister said.