The Center will make additional allocations of food-grains and sugarto Kerala for coming Onam festival.

This was conveyed to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy by Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Prof K V Thomas during a meeting held in New Delhi to review PDS requirements in Kerala, an official press release said today. Prof Thomas said the Center has decided to make additional allocation of 59,000 MT of rice and 29,500 MT of wheat for Onam festival to Kerala at MSP prices.

It has also made adhoc additional allocation of 84,978 MT of rice and 34,190 MT of wheat already at BPL price for BPL families in the State.

The Minister said regarding the two poorest districts of Palakad and Wayanad in Kerala State, allocation of 5000 tons of rice and wheat at BPL/AAY prices can be considered, provided the State complete the offtake and distribution of last year's allocation.

He said it has also been decided to consider the request of Government of Kerala for additional allocation of sugar for Onam festival.