Thiruvananthapuram: In connection with Hunger Free Kerala project, finance minister Thomas Isaac made a major announcement in the annual state budget here on Friday. He announced that the government will establish 1000 hotels to provide meals at Rs 25. Kudumbashree will operate these hotels.

Quoting a poem of Balachandran Chullikkad, the finance minister explained Government’s idea on public welfare. He noted that LDF government aims to create Kerala completely hunger free when India’s position is going down in the poverty index.

The food department has prepared a number of projects under Hunger Free Kerala project. These projects will be implemented with the cooperation of voluntary groups and offices.

Free food will be supplied to bedridden patients at their residence. Outlets will be opened where meals will be made available at Rs 25. 10 percent of meals will be provided for free in these outlets with the help of sponsors. Civil Supplies Corporation will provide food materials at subsidised rate for this purpose.

Ambalappuzha and Cherthala taluk will be declared hunger free zones in April under the project. This project will be extended to more places in 2020-21. A special aid of Rs 20 crore will be allocated in the budget for this project, said Finance Minister in his budget speech.