Kerala Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob
| Photo Credit: H. VIBHU
Kerala’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob has announced that the Food and Civil Supplies Department and Supplyco have entered the final phase of preparations for the Onam season, with a series of measures aimed at controlling food prices and ensuring the availability of essential commodities.
In order to curb the rise in rice prices during the festive season, the government will release 1,65,932 metric tonnes (MT) of rice and 24,506 MT of wheat into the market.
A special rice distribution scheme for non-priority ration card holders will commence in August. Under the scheme, blue card holders will receive 3 kg of rice at ₹10.90 per kg and 2 kg of wheat at ₹8.70 per kg, the Minister announced at a meet-the-press programme at the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club on Monday (July 27, 2026).
Distribution of Onam kits
The government has also approved ₹53 crore for the distribution of free Onam kits to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration card holders and inmates of welfare institutions. The distribution of kits to the section will commence on August 10 and will be completed by Uthradam day on August 25.
Based on figures available as of June, a total of 6,09,305 kits will be distributed. Each kit, including a cloth bag, will contain 16 essential items, with the estimated cost of each kit pegged at ₹854, Mr. Jacob pointed out.
Market intervention programme
As part of its market intervention programme, Supplyco will organise Onam mega trade fairs in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode from August 8 to 25. In addition, Onam district fairs will be held in 11 districts from August 16 to 25, while Onam markets will be organised across 126 Assembly constituencies.
The Minister said the Food and Civil Supplies Department has received ₹448.05 crore during the first two months of the present United Democratic Front (UDF) government’s tenure. He added that the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had allocated only ₹700 crore to the department during the entire 2025–26 financial year.
Of the total allocation, ₹273 crore has been earmarked for market intervention activities, including the ₹53 crore for free Onam kit distribution. A total of ₹154.79 crore has been allocated towards the State’s incentive bonus for paddy procurement, while ₹20.26 crore has been sanctioned for transportation charges.
Supplyco audit to be finished by December
Mr. Jacob informed that the long-pending audit of Supplyco will be completed by December. Such steps are being undertaken to address a five-year delay that has prevented the State from receiving ₹300 crore due from the Central government, he said.
He also announced that Kerala’s first 24-hour Supplyco outlet will be inaugurated at the Vyttila Mobility Hub in August. In addition, the government is in the final stages of launching the State’s first Grain ATM, which is aimed at improving the distribution of food grains.
According to the Minister, the State government has urged the Centre to withdraw its move to reduce the food grain allocation for yellow ration card (AAY) holders. He also expressed concern over the steady reduction in the annual kerosene allocation to the State and said the government has requested the Centre to increase the allotment to meet public demand.
Published – July 27, 2026 03:22 pm IST
