THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For the upcoming Onam, the government is likely to provide free Onam kit to all the priority category cardholders and welfare institutions. Due to the poor financial condition of the government, the plan was to provide it to Antyodaya Annayojana (yellow) and welfare institutions. Today's cabinet meeting will take a decision on giving the kit to pink card holders too.

Last year the cost was Rs 450 per kit. Rs 26.80 crore is the cost for this if given to welfare institutions apart from yellow card holders. Rs 160.49 crores should be found if it is to be given to pink card holders as well. The fresh discussions is due to the fact that the exclusion of pink card holders will likely be used as a weapon by the opposition.

Rs 420.87 crores will be required to provide Onam kit to all card holders. Last year too, it was initially considered that the APL category, which includes government employees and economically forward people, should be exempted from the free Onkit, but later the decision was changed.

SupplyCo is responsible for purchasing and packing the items to be included in the Onam kit. It is now unable to call any tender due to debt. Today's cabinet meeting may also decide to allow at least a reduction in the amount to be paid to Supplyco by way of subsidy.

Cardholders

Yellow............................5,88,158

Pink............................... 35,53,341

Welfare Institution.........7500

Blue...............................29,30,021

White..........................23,00,770