Kerala was not denied additional rice allocation, says Union government

The Union authorities has rejected allegations that Kerala was denied further atom allocation during Onam festival oregon successful earlier crises. The State was advised to procure other nutrient grains done existing argumentation mechanisms, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution stated astatine the Lok Sabha.

Replying to a question successful the House by V.K. Sreekandan, MP, connected Wednesday (December 17, 2025), Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya said Kerala had sought an further allocation of 5 kg of atom astatine ‘tide over’ rates for non-National Food Security Act (NFSA) cardholders successful September 2025 to conscionable the Onam-related demand. The Centre informed the State that further quantities could beryllium availed done the Open Market Sales Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS-D] oregon nether the prevailing guidelines governing other allocations during festivals, earthy calamities, and instrumentality and bid situations.

The Minister besides addressed the allegations that Kerala was denied nutrient grains during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 floods. She said that the Centre had provided escaped nutrient grains astatine the complaint of 5 kg per idiosyncratic per period to each NFSA beneficiaries nether the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) crossed the state to mitigate pandemic-related hardships.

Non-NFSA beneficiaries

The State had sought further atom for non-NFSA families escaped of outgo during the pandemic, but the Centre clarified that determination is nary proviso to proviso nutrient grains either escaped oregon astatine NFSA rates to non-NFSA beneficiaries. The State was, however, advised to assistance the required quantities nether OMSS(D). A akin effect was fixed erstwhile Kerala requested 50,000 metric tonnes of nutrient grains astatine NFSA rates pursuing the 2021 floods.

According to the information furnished by the Ministry, Kerala lifted a full of 1,45,795 metric tonnes of atom and 35,365 metric tonnes of wheat nether OMSS(D) betwixt 2020-21 and 2025-26 till date.

The Minister besides denied allegations that the Union authorities was attempting to weaken the State’s nationalist organisation system.