48.5 lakh people given welfare pension during Onam festival : CM

Thiruvananthapuram : About 48.5 lakh people were given Rs 3,100 each as Welfare Pension for two months– August and September with an expenditure of Rs 1481.87 crore during the Onam festival, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said while greeting people on Uthradam Day, which is considered as Onam eve.
Uthradam is the most auspicious day for purchase of fresh vegetables and fruits along with other provisions to celebrate Thiruvonam day by the Keralites.
Calling upon the people to adhere COVID protocol during the festival, the Chief Minister, greeting people on the occasion of Onam, said the COVID pandemic induced economic challenges should not dampen the festive spirits of people.
Stating that the state government has announced Rs 5,650 crore package to support small scale traders to face COVID induced economic crisis, the Mr Vijayan in a Facebook post on Friday said about 90 ration card holders are being given special food kits with a total expenditure of Rs 526 crore during Onam.
Another special aid of Rs 1,000 are being given to those who are the members of various welfare pension schemes.
All those who have completed 60 years in Scheduled caste category are being given Rs 1000 each. Rs 5.76 crore was sanctioned for this from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
About 25 lakh school students were also given food kits in connection with the Onam festival, he added