Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Kerala Government Announces Rs 33 Crore Onam Benefits, Food Checks
The Kerala government is giving money and allowances to transport workers and retired transport workers for Onam.
Onam is an important festival in Kerala.
Permanent KSRTC workers will get a salary advance, a festival allowance and some will get bonuses.
Temporary workers will receive a smaller allowance.
More than 42,000 KSRTC pensioners will receive festival money too.
This is the first pensioner Onam allowance since 2019, according to the minister.
At the same time, food officials are checking food coming into Kerala.
They are also checking online grocery warehouses to make sure food is safe, fresh and properly stored.
Onam celebrations include special meals, flower decorations and family gatherings.
Kerala allocated Rs 33.92 crore for Onam benefits for KSRTC employees and pensioners.
Permanent KSRTC employees will receive a Rs 10,000 salary advance, Rs 3,000 festival allowance and eligible bonuses.
Temporary KSRTC employees will receive a Rs 1,000 Onam allowance, while 42,549 pensioners will receive Rs 1,250 each.
Food officials launched round-the-clock inspections at five border check-posts using mobile testing laboratories.
The ‘Safe Onam’ campaign has also inspected e-commerce warehouses and tested products including ghee, jaggery, payasam mix and coconut oil.
- Who
- The Kerala government, KSRTC employees and pensioners, and the Kerala Food Safety Department are involved.
- What
- The government announced Rs 33.92 crore in Onam benefits and launched intensified food-safety inspections.
- When
- The announcement was made on Saturday, August 22, ahead of Thiruonam on August 26.
- Where
- The benefits apply to KSRTC staff and pensioners in Kerala; food checks are taking place at five border check-posts and e-commerce warehouses.
- Why
- The benefits are intended to support KSRTC workers and pensioners during Onam, while inspections aim to prevent unsafe or substandard food from reaching consumers.
- Total allocation
- Rs 33.92 crore
- Permanent employee benefits
- Rs 10,000 salary advance, Rs 3,000 festival allowance and eligible bonuses
- Temporary employee allowance
- Rs 1,000
- Pensioner allowance
- Rs 1,250 each for 42,549 KSRTC pensioners
- Border inspection sites
- Aryankavu, Kumily, Walayar, Meenakshipuram and Karali
- Warehouse inspections
- 80 inspections completed by the Onam special squad
- Campaign
- ‘Safe Onam’