Thiruvananthapuram: Finance Minister Dr Thomas Isaac said that 14.78 lakh BPL (below poverty line) families who do not receive any financial aid will be distributed Rs 1000 from May 14 onwards to survive the COVID crisis. The financial aid will be given to the families that do not get welfare pension or Rs 1000 from the welfare fund. A total of Rs 147.82 crore was allocated for this purpose.

The minister informed that this is the first expenditure of the amount cut from the salary of government employees and teachers. Six days' payment from the monthly salary of the government staff and teachers are kept aside for this purpose. This amount is kept in a special account in the treasury. Rs 147.82 crore from this fund was allotted for the relief distribution.

The staff of the nearest cooperative society will deliver the relief amount at households. The beneficiaries have to fill up their Aadhaar number and bank account number in a form before receiving the amount. Also they have to grant the permission to use these details for receiving financial assistance in future and submit an affidavit stating that they did not receive any welfare pension or other relief aid, the minister said.