Irinjalakuda: Due to rice shortage, the allocation of rice through the Public Distribution System (PDS) has been reduced to 2 kgs for white, blue and special card holders. No decision has been taken regarding the special Onam allotment.

There is no confirmation regarding the ‘additional’ quantity of rice that will be distributed for Onam. The ration shop officials are awaiting the special allotment in order to prepare the list for distribution of rice. The share of rice distributed to blue, white and special card holders has decreased considerably. Last month, such card holders were given 7 kgs of rice. From January-June, blue, white, and special card holders were given 10 kgs of rice. 

Yellow and pink ration card holders receive rice via central allotment. For the rest of the card holders, the state government buys rice from the centre and from rest of the states. The rations shops in Kerala were able to distribute a considerable amount of rice in the previous months, thanks to the surplus quantity of rice produced in the neighbouring states during the harvest season. However, ration shops are running out of stock, forcing them to cut down the quantities being distributed.