Tribal people to get free rice for Onam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran announced in the Assembly on Tuesday that 12 kg of rice would be given, free of charge, to every tribal family during the Onam festival.

Replying to a debate on the demands for grants for Food, Animal Husbandry and Dairy, the Minister said the tribal people would also get rice at Rs.2 under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana. None would go without a sumptuous meal on the Thiruvonam Day as the government also proposed to supply Onam kits to all BPL families. Eligible persons who had not got rice at Rs.2 a kg so far could get it now.

Mr. Divakaran said the government would seek higher allocation of sugar and rice from the Centre for Onam. The State Civil Supplies Department would set up temporary depots for seven days as special bazaar for Onam.

He said 100 more Maveli stores would be set up in the State this year. Mobile Maveli stores would now reach out to all parts of the State. Hypermarts would start functioning shortly in Thrissur, Kottayam and Thalassery.

He said it was no sin for the government to have increased milk prices. The dairy farmers had been clamouring for it. However, for the sake of consumers, the government had kept down the hike to Rs.3 a litre against a recommendation for Rs.5 a litre. The price of cattle feed would be kept steady for the benefit of farmers.