The Union government has rejected allegations that Kerala was denied additional rice allocation during Onam festival or in earlier crises. The State was advised to procure extra food grains through existing policy mechanisms, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution stated at the Lok Sabha.
Replying to a question in the House by V.K. Sreekandan, MP, on Wednesday (December 17, 2025), Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya said Kerala had sought an additional allocation of 5 kg of rice at ‘tide over’ rates for non-National Food Security Act (NFSA) cardholders in September 2025 to meet the Onam-related demand. The Centre informed the State that additional quantities could be availed through the Open Market Sales Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS-D] or under the prevailing guidelines governing extra allocations during festivals, natural calamities, and law and order situations.
The Minister also addressed the allegations that Kerala was denied food grains during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 floods. She said that the Centre had provided free food grains at the rate of 5 kg per person per month to all NFSA beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) across the country to mitigate pandemic-related hardships.
