Onam 2026: Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Tuesday announced the early disbursal of social security and welfare pensions to more than 65 lakh beneficiaries in the state ahead of the Onam harvest
festival. Addressing a press conference after a Cabinet meeting he chaired, CM Satheesan said the August pensions would be distributed from August 19.
The payments are normally made from the 25th of every month, but the government decided to release them earlier this month in view of Onam. “This is being done on account of Onam and also as part of the UDF government policy that pensions should be distributed on time,” Satheesan said.
The government has sanctioned Rs 1,105 crore for social security and welfare pensions.
Rs 630 Crore For Employee And Pensioner Bonuses
The Chief Minister also announced Onam bonuses and allowances for various categories, including government employees, teachers, part-time and contingent workers and service pensioners.
A total of Rs 630 crore has been sanctioned towards allowances and bonuses for government employees and pensioners.
The government has also sanctioned Rs 34 crore to clear pension arrears of Anganwadi pensioners up to July 31, 2026.
Rs 310 Crore To Clear Backward Classes Scholarship Arrears
The government has sanctioned Rs 310 crore to clear pending backward classes scholarship amounts that accrued during the previous government. In addition, Rs 200 crore has been sanctioned to clear urgent financial debts under various health schemes, including the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP) and Arogya Kiranam.
Another Rs 150 crore has been allocated to clear arrears of Paddy Receipt Sheets (PRS) for paddy procured by SupplyCo up to July 31.
Rs 45 Crore Onam Allowance For Employment Guarantee Workers
The government has sanctioned Rs 45 crore to provide an Onam allowance to workers who have completed 100 days of work under the employment guarantee scheme.
SupplyCo and Consumerfed have also received funds for market intervention during the Onam season.
SupplyCo has been sanctioned Rs 53 crore, while Consumerfed has received Rs 25 crore to help control price rises during the festival and ensure that festival-related and other subsidised items are available at lower prices.
Mid-Day Meal Cooks To Receive Wages In Advance
CM Satheesan said Rs 44 crore has been sanctioned to ensure that school mid-day meal cooks receive their wages in advance. The move follows an increase of Rs 1,000 in their wages.
The government has also sanctioned Rs 26 crore for the welfare of lottery sellers and agents. Their Onam festival bonus has been increased to Rs 1,000.
Over 6 Lakh Onam Kits Prepared
CM Satheesan also rejected allegations that Onam kits had been delayed or were unavailable to beneficiaries. He said the government had prepared more than six lakh kits against a demand of around 5.93 lakh.
More than three lakh kits have already been sent to ration shops across the state, of which 75,000 have been distributed to cardholders, he said. “So, we have given it on time. Now is the time to give it,” the CM said.
13 Essential Subsidy Items Available At Maveli Stores
The Chief Minister also said all 13 essential subsidy items were available at Maveli stores, unlike last year. He said prices of 10 of these items were lower than their prices in 2025.
CM Satheesan said the measures had been announced keeping the Onam harvest festival and the needs of people in mind, with the government aiming to ensure that pensions, bonuses, welfare payments and essential subsidised goods reach beneficiaries during the festival season.
