Minister for Food and Civil Supplies P. Thilothaman said that the distribution of free ration in Kerala would start on 1st April through the 14,250 retail outlets and be completed by 20th April.
He told media that the grain distribution for Antyodaya Anna Yojana & Priority Household card holders will take place till today afternoon. He added that only five persons will be allowed at a time in a retail ration outlet, keeping in mind the social distancing norms. The minister said ward members of local bodies & volunteers in each locale will help in preventing crowds. Also each dealer can introduce a token system to avoid card-holders from gathering in large numbers.
Thilothaman said the help volunteers as well as ward members could be sought for door delivery of grains for the old and bed-ridden who will not be able to reach the retail outlets. He said distribution of additional entitlements would start after April 20.
Families who do not have cards can also get grains if an elder member of the family has submitted an affidavit to the concerned dealer. The affidavit must have the Aadhaar number & phone number of the family members. This facility had been strictly limited to those who did not have cards. A fine amounting to three times the market rate of the grains will be levied from those submitting fake affidavits.
In addition, the Food & Civil Supplies Department long with the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation are also preparing to distribute the free kits in the State. Income tax payers, high income group and others who have willingly come forward to surrender it have been exempted from the scheme.
The minister told that Kerala had enough stock to distribute grains for all the sections for three months.
