The Kerala government has announced it spent a total of ₹20,000 crore this Onam season to support the festival and its citizens. This large sum covered normal government costs as well as special holiday expenses.
A major part of the spending, ₹12,100 crore, was used for salaries, bonuses, pensions, and festival allowances for government employees and pensioners. Additionally, ₹1,800 crore was allocated for welfare pensions, benefiting 62 lakh people.
Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal said the government’s efforts helped make the festival affordable for all families. He highlighted that effective market programs helped keep the prices of goods under control.
The government also spent ₹34.29 crore to distribute free food kits with 15 items to 6.03 lakh households with special ration cards. Festival allowances for various contract and scheme workers were increased, with ASHA workers receiving a raise from ₹1,200 to ₹1,450. Other groups, including Anganwadi workers, school meal staff, and lifeguards, also received festival allowances.
To keep a check on market prices, ₹262 crore was provided to state-run organizations, Supplyco and Consumerfed, to sell essential goods at a subsidized rate. The state also gave ₹122 crore to the KSRTC transport corporation for salaries and bonuses, which included a ₹3,000 bonus for each employee.
With input from TNIE
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
