Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Friday announced a ₹1,000 enhancement in the Onam festival bonus for lottery agents, sellers and pensioners across Kerala. The decision fulfills a commitment made to the lottery workforce during the Puthuyuga Yatra ahead of the Assembly election, when Satheesan served as the Leader of the Opposition.

According to an official order issued by the Taxes Department, active members of the Kerala State Lottery Agents' and Sellers' Welfare Fund Board will receive an Onam festival bonus of ₹8,500, up from ₹7,500 last year.

Pensioners under the welfare board will receive ₹3,750, compared to ₹2,750 in the previous year. To implement this payout, the state government has sanctioned a total outlay of ₹26,47,11,250.

In an official statement, the Chief Minister's Office confirmed that the decision addresses the long-standing demands of the sector. “Considering the workers' demand, the government has sanctioned an Onam festival bonus of Rs 8,500 for Kerala State Lottery agents and sellers, and Rs 3,750 for pensioners,” the statement said.

“This year's bonus has been increased by Rs 1,000 each for agents, sellers and pensioners compared to last year,” it added. The CMO further noted that “For the first time in history, the amount has been increased equally for both agents and pensioners”, highlighting the historic nature of the uniform raise.The administrative procedure began following formal proposals submitted by the Chief Executive Officer of the Welfare Fund Board through official communications dated June 17 and July 17. Verification of official records confirmed that the revised financial benefit will directly cover 26,980 active welfare board members and 9,345 registered pensioners across the state.

PTI