Thiruvananthapuram: The distribution of social security pensions in the state will commence on Wednesday, August 19, Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced.

He stated that the measure was taken as part of the policy to ensure uninterrupted pension distribution. Usually starting around the 25th of every month, the pension distribution has been brought forward in view of Onam. A total of ₹1,105 crore has been sanctioned for this purpose.

Onam benefits worth ₹630.05 crore have also been declared for government employees and pensioners.

Employees will receive a bonus of ₹4,500 and an Onam advance of ₹20,000. Those not eligible for the bonus will be given ₹3,000 as a festival allowance. Part-time temporary employees will also receive an advance of ₹6,000.

A festival allowance of ₹1,450 has been sanctioned for ASHA workers and Anganwadi employees, and ₹1,250 for service pensioners. In addition to this, ₹310 crore has been sanctioned to clear the scholarship arrears for backward classes.

The Chief Minister also informed that ₹44.24 crore has been allocated to provide an Onam allowance of ₹1,200 each to 3.68 lakh Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) families who have completed 100 working days. Similarly, 70,800 workers who completed 100 days under the Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme will also receive ₹1,200 each. Furthermore, ₹44 crore has been sanctioned to directly credit the revised wages of school cook staff into their bank accounts.

According to figures till date, 6,07,650 Onam kits have been made ready for distribution, the Chief Minister informed. Out of these, 3,06,092 kits have already reached ration shops. He noted that widespread rumours were circulating claiming that Onam kits were not being distributed; however, the current stock exceeds the required 5,93,000 kits. At present, 75,885 cardholders have collected their kits.

Speaking at the press conference, he added that measures are being completed to ensure the kits reach all eligible beneficiaries on time as the Onam celebrations begin.