THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government’s total expenditure for the Onam festival season has surpassed ₹20,000 crore, funding a massive welfare and bonus package, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal announced Wednesday. The minister emphasized that this significant spending was achieved despite a severe “financial squeeze” created by the central government’s policies.
Speaking to the media about the state’s festive interventions, Mr. Balagopal detailed a multi-pronged approach aimed at ensuring a prosperous Onam for all. “Even amidst the financial constraints imposed by the Centre, the state government has managed to spend over ₹20,000 crore to ensure the welfare of its people during Onam,” he stated.
Key components of the expenditure include the pre-festival disbursement of two months’ worth of social security pensions and the distribution of free Onam food kits, containing 15 essential items, to over 600,000 beneficiary families.
The government also rolled out enhanced festival allowances for a vast spectrum of workers. Allowances were increased for government employees, pensioners, ASHA workers, Anganwadi staff, and mid-day meal workers, who will now receive ₹1,550. Approximately 550,000 MGNREGA workers were given ₹1,200 each.
Targeted support was provided to workers in distressed sectors. Financial aid of ₹2,250 was allocated to 13,835 labourers from 425 closed cashew factories, who also received a portion of rice. Furthermore, 2,149 workers from defunct plantation estates were given ₹1,000 gift coupons for purchasing Onam kits from Supplyco.
To prevent price hikes during the high-demand season, the government allocated ₹262 crore to public distribution agencies like Supplyco for effective market intervention, ensuring the availability of subsidized essentials.
