Onam starts early! Supplyco to roll out 6 lakh festival kits across Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's annual Supplyco Onam markets will officially commence on August 25, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan set to inaugurate the initiative at Putharikandam Maidan, Thiruvananthapuram. The markets, which aim to curb inflation and ensure food availability during the festive season, will run for 10 days until September 4, coinciding with Uthradam.

Minister for Food and Civil Supplies G R Anilkumar announced that district-level Onam fairs will begin on August 25 in other parts of the state as well. Markets will be held at district centres and across all assembly constituencies, with major Supplyco outlets anchoring these efforts.

To enhance accessibility, mobile Onam markets will be deployed across all constituencies on August 25. These mobile units will enable residents in remote areas to access affordable food items and branded products.

Under the ration distribution scheme, white cardholders will receive 15 kg of special rice at Rs 10.90 per kg, while blue cardholders will be given 10 kg, pink cardholders will get 5 kg, and yellow cardholders will receive 1 kg of sugar. Kerosene allocations have also been confirmed for all ration card categories. Additionally, each cardholder will receive 20 kg of raw rice or parboiled rice at Rs 25 per kg, over and above the regular 8 kg of subsidised rice.

Supplyco will offer both subsidised and non-subsidised coconut oil under the Sabari brand. The subsidised coconut oil will be priced at Rs 349 per litre and Rs 179 per half-litre, while the non-subsidised variant will be available at Rs 429 per litre and Rs 219 per half-litre. Other cooking oils, including sunflower, palm, and rice bran oil, will also be sold at rates below the MRP, offering more choices to consumers.

Over 6 lakh Onam kits containing 15 essential items and a cloth bag will be distributed to AAY cardholders and welfare institutions between August 18 and September 2. There will also be price reductions on key items. For instance, broad beans will see a price drop from Rs 75 to Rs 70 per kg, while black gram will be reduced from Rs 105 to Rs 93 per kg. The quantity of chillies under the subsidy scheme will be increased from 0.5 kg to 1 kg.

All subsidised items, except coconut oil, are currently available at Supplyco outlets. The government has assured the uninterrupted availability of all essentials throughout the Onam season.

Additionally, priority ration cards will be issued to 43,000 eligible families before Onam. Applications for new priority cards can be submitted online from September 16 to October 15.