Politics of kits burns gap of Rs 4200 crore in coffer

Express News Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The meals kits distributed by Supplyco throughout the lockdown interval and subsequent months via ration retailers within the state, which apparently performed a pivotal position in guaranteeing the LDF’s thumping victory within the current native physique elections, value the exchequer Rs 2,845 crore. With the state authorities deciding to increase the package distribution until April with an eye fixed on the meeting polls, round Rs 4,200 crore shall be spent in whole. 

The ruling LDF and foremost constituent CPM had reached a conclusion that the “survival kits” distributed beneath Supplyco and the welfare pension given away by the federal government appeased the individuals regardless of the host of controversies it confronted forward of the native physique polls. 

According to the Food and Civil Supplies Department statistics, the state exchequer needed to spend a complete of Rs 2,845.79 crore for distributing the kits consisting of necessities until December. A sum of Rs 450 crore was given from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund to offer the kits to individuals, whereas the remainder was met from the funds share of the division and funds given via further authorisation. 

As the state authorities has determined to increase the scheme until April, the state should shell out a further Rs 1,352 crore, taking the overall expense of the package distribution to round Rs 4,198 crore. Speaking to TNIE, Civil Supplies Minister P Thilothaman stated, “The kit distribution was one of the massive schemes undertaken by the state government in the history of Kerala and it has yielded results which were evident from the response of the people. This apart, the civil supplies department had also distributed special kits to fishermen, tribals, students etc at various points of time,” he stated.  

Cost of kits Kit distribution throughout lockdown, Onam and until Dec: 

Rs 2,845.79crExpense anticipated for package distribution from January to April: 

Rs 1,352crTotal expense anticipated: 

Rs 4,198cr Sum used from Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund: D450 crTotal ration playing cards: 89.38 lakh Families that benefitted Covid survival kits: 84.90 lakh Onam kits: 83.72 lakh September: 83.91 lakh October: 83.68 lakh Nov/December: 84 lakh every (avg)