Kerala to begin distribution of free ration from April 1

Kochi: Kerala food and civil supplies minister P Thilothaman has said the distribution of free ration in the state will begin on April 1. The ration will be supplied through the 14,250 retail outlets and it is expected to be completed by April 20.

The minister said at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram that only five persons will be allowed at a time in a retail ration outlet as per the social distancing norms. Each dealer could introduce a token system to avoid crowding of card-holders, he said.

The grains under Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority Household card holders will be distributed till noon and for others in the afternoon.


He said volunteers and ward members could help in door delivery of grains for the elderly and bed-ridden who are unable to reach the retail outlets. Distribution of additional entitlements will begin after April 20, he said.

Families that do not have cards will get grains if an elder member of the family submits an affidavit to the dealer concerned. The Food and Civil Supplies Department and the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation are also preparing the free kits to be distributed in the State.

Thilothaman said the state has sufficient stock to distribute grains for all sections for three months.