Thiruvananthapuram: In a bid to ensure enough food for the people during the coronavirus lockdown period, the Kerala government has decided on Wednesday to provide all ration card holders, irrespective of their economic status, at least 15 kg of rice free for a month. This step will make sure that people are not starved due to unavailability of food grains.
The BPL card holders will get their usual quota of 35 kg of food grains; 28 kg of rice and 7 kg of wheat. They will be also provided with a provision kit.
The Kerala government is taking all the necessary steps for those who are quarantined due to the disease. Ward committees have been directed to enlist homes where the marginalised – the old, differently-abled and transgenders – live so that food and essentials could be provided directly.
The timings of the ration shops have also been changed. It will be operational from 9am to 5pm with a one-hour break between 1pm and 2pm.