The Keralam government is considering extending distribution of the special rice provided for ₹26 a kg through ration shops and State-run Supplyco outlets during Onam for one more month, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Anoop Jacob has said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the distribution of Onam kits organised by the Thiruvananthapuram district committee and the Kesari Memorial Journalist Trust here on Saturday (August 22, 2026).

The Minister said a particular brand of rice was received from the FCI (Food Corporation of India) for distribution at ₹26. An estimate of its available stock was being taken.

The Minister said that since Milad-e-Sharif would be celebrated on August 25, ration dealers would be given restricted holiday.

All provisions needed for a prosperous Onam were being supplied through Supplyco. The government was considering if Onam kits could be distributed to other ration card holders besides yellow card-holders, who belong to the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), among the poorest of the poor households, Mr. Jacob said.

Kerala Union Of Working Journalists (KUWJ) Thiruvananthapuram district unit president Schiller Stephen presided over the function. KUWJ Thiruvananthapuram district unit secretary Anupama G. Nair and State committee member R. Kiran Babu were present.

Published - August 22, 2026 04:09 pm IST