The Chief Minister today announced that the distribution of the Onam kit consisting of 11 grocery items will commence on Thursday August 13, 2020. About 88 lakhs ration cardholders in the state would get this gift from the government.

The CM said, “The work of preparing the kits is underway at 2,000 packing centres with the help of volunteers, who check the quality and weight. This will help us to overcome the difficulties and delay encountered in the delivery of goods in the wake of the recent floods. The State Civil Supplies Department, Supplyco will pack the kits and deliver them to the ration shops. The kit will have products worth around Rs 500.”

In the first phase, the Onam kits will be distributed to 5.95 lakhs families belonging to the Antyodaya category (yellow Ration cards) on August 13, 14 and 16. Kits for priority category (pink cards) will be distributed on August 19, 20, 21 and 22. There are about 31 lakhs priority cardholders in the State. Kits will also be distributed to the remaining 51 lakh families (blue and white cards) before Onam. Ration cardholders will be able to procure these kits from the same ration shop from where they purchased the ration in July.

Onam markets will be set up at all district headquarters from August 21 for a period of 10 days. In addition, non-priority cardholders will be able to buy 10 kg special rice @ Rs 15 per kg from ration shops from August 13.