Alappuzha: When the central government stopped free ration supply which was started during the COVID times, the state government is planning to make free food kit distribution a proud achievement.

The Centre stopped the free rice and wheat allotted for yellow (AAY) and pink (priority) cardholders from December onwards. They had decided to provide free ration as part of the PMGKAY (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana) till November.

The cardholders expected that the Centre would continue free ration as COVID has not been brought under control. However, no direction in this regard was issued even after two weeks in December. Also many families are yet to receive the free ration of November.

Meanwhile, the state government decided to continue free food kit till April. The decision only has to be approved by the cabinet meeting. The state has also initiated steps to distribute the kits pending to be distributed in November and December. This will be completed before Christmas.

For this purpose, it has been directed to prepare 10 lakh kits per day and deliver them at ration shops. In order to hasten this purpose, packing centres with an area of 8000-10,000 square feet will be arranged. The state government decided to continue distribution of free food kits on finding that the welfare activities have benefitted them a lot in the local body election.