Thiruvananthapuram : A ray of sunshine comes amid Covid times, as ration shops across the state carry out distribution of Onam feast kits - a gift the state government promised in its announcement last month. 3,16,277 free kits have been distributed over the past two days. 10,146 kits have been delivered to the fisherfolks alone - one of the hardest hit communities in the pandemic.
Coronavirus and lockdown conditions has made deep dents into state revenue. However, whatever the crisis, no Malayali shall encounter difficulty for celebrating Onam, the government had indicated.
Worth Rs 500, an Onam kit contains with 11 items - Sugar( I kg), green gram(500 gm), jaggery(1 Kg), chilli powder(100 gm), coriander powder(100 gm), turmeric powder(100 gm), sambar powder(100 gm), coconut oil(500 ml), pappad( 1 pkt), vermicelli/payasam ada(1 pkt) and broken wheat(1 kilo).
Distribution for Yellow Card households began Thursday. Cards with number ending 3,4,5 received their kits on Friday while those with 6,7,8 and 9 in last digit got them on Saturday. Pink card holders will receive their Onam kits between 19th - 22th. Card numbers ending zero and 1 will be given kits on 19th; with 2 and 3 in last digit on 20th; with 4,5,6 on the 27th; with 7,8 and 9 on the 22nd. The blue and white card holders will receive their kits on the 27th. Saturday - the 15th of August, having been a holiday, card holders due on the day will receive their kit today, Sunday.
