Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Education Department has decided to distribute free rice to schoolchildren as part of Onam celebration in the state. The students will each receive five kilograms of rice under midday meal programme at public schools in Kerala.   

Kerala Government has given final approval to the Director of General Education regarding this. The stock available in Supplyco Corporation will be utilised to distribute rice to schools. 

Rice will be delivered to all state schools by Supplyco outlets. Meanwhile, it is estimated that government will have to distribute rice to about 29.5 lakh students. 

The schools have been instructed to complete rice distribution by August 24, informed Education Minister V. Sivankutty.