The Union government has rejected allegations that Kerala was denied additional rice allocation during Onam festival or in earlier crises. The State was advised to procure extra food grains through existing policy mechanisms, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution stated at the Lok Sabha.
Replying to a question in the House by V.K. Sreekandan, MP, on Wednesday (December 17, 2025), Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya said Kerala had sought an additional allocation of 5 kg of rice at ‘tide over’ rates for non-National Food Security Act (NFSA) cardholders in September 2025 to meet the Onam-related demand. The Centre informed the State that additional quantities could be availed through the Open Market Sales Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS-D] or under the prevailing guidelines governing extra allocations during festivals, natural calamities, and law and order situations.
The Minister also addressed the allegations that Kerala was denied food grains during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 floods. She said that the Centre had provided free food grains at the rate of 5 kg per person per month to all NFSA beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) across the country to mitigate pandemic-related hardships.
Non-NFSA beneficiaries
The State had sought additional rice for non-NFSA families free of cost during the pandemic, but the Centre clarified that there is no provision to supply food grains either free or at NFSA rates to non-NFSA beneficiaries. The State was, however, advised to lift the required quantities under OMSS(D). A similar response was given when Kerala requested 50,000 metric tonnes of food grains at NFSA rates following the 2021 floods.
According to the data furnished by the Ministry, Kerala lifted a total of 1,45,795 metric tonnes of rice and 35,365 metric tonnes of wheat under OMSS(D) between 2020-21 and 2025-26 till date.
The Minister also denied allegations that the Union government was attempting to weaken the State’s public distribution system.
Published – December 19, 2025 04:21 pm IST
