Big Onam relief! Kerala announces extra rice for ration cardholders- check what your card gets

Alappuzha: The Kerala government has announced an additional ration allocation ahead of Onam to help families cope with rising food prices.

White (NPNS) ration cardholders will receive 7 kg of rice, up from the usual 4 kg. They will also get an additional 10 kg of rice at Rs 26 per kg, taking the total allocation to 17 kg. Each cardholder will also be entitled to 2 kg of wheat.

Blue (NPS) cardholders will continue to receive their regular entitlement of 2 kg of rice per member at Rs 4 per kg. In addition, each card will get a special allocation of 13 kg of rice — 3 kg at Rs 10.90 per kg and 10 kg at Rs 26 per kg. They will also receive 2 kg of wheat.

Inmates of welfare institutions holding Brown (NPI) cards will also receive an additional 10 kg of rice at Rs 26 per kg.

Distribution of the August ration will begin on Monday, while the special allocation of rice at Rs 26 per kg will be available from August 10.

No special Onam quota has been announced for Yellow (AAY) and Pink (PHH) cardholders, as the government said their existing allocations are adequate.

August ration allocation

• Yellow (AAY): 30 kg of rice and 2 kg of wheat free of cost, along with 3 packets of flour priced at Rs 7 each.

• Pink (PHH): 4 kg of rice and 1 kg of wheat free per member. Where wheat stocks are unavailable, flour packets priced at Rs 9 each will be supplied, subject to availability at individual ration shops.

• Blue (NPS): Two kg of rice per member at Rs 4 per kg, 3 kg of rice per card at Rs 10.90 per kg, 10 kg of rice at Rs 26 per kg, 2 kg of wheat at Rs 8.70 per kg, and up to 4 kg of flour at Rs 17 per kg, subject to stock availability in each taluk.

• White (NPNS): 7 kg of rice per card at Rs 10.90 per kg, an additional 10 kg at Rs 26 per kg, 2 kg of wheat at Rs 8.70 per kg, and up to 4 kg of flour at Rs 17 per kg, subject to stock availability.

• Brown (NPI): Two kg of rice at Rs 10.90 per kg, 2 kg of wheat at Rs 8.70 per kg, 1 kg of flour at Rs 17, subject to availability, and an additional 10 kg of rice at Rs 26 per kg.

The kerosene quota for the July-September quarter has also been announced. Yellow cardholders in electrified households will receive one litre of kerosene, while Pink, Blue and White cardholders will be entitled to half a litre each. Cardholders in unelectrified households will receive 6 litres.