Kerala Government Allocates Rs 24.04 Crore for Onam Allowance to Lottery Agents and Sellers

The Kerala state government has allocated Rs 24.04 crore to distribute Onam festival allowances to approximately 45,000 lottery agents and sellers. K N Balagopal, the Finance Minister, revealed that members of the Kerala State Lottery Agents and Sellers Welfare Fund Board would receive Rs 6,000 each as part of this grant. Pensioners from the same Board are set to receive Rs 2,000 each as their festival allowance. This initiative will benefit 38,000 active members and 6,223 pensioners, totaling Rs 24.04 crore in funding.

In a separate move, the Left government announced Onam allowances for laborers who have completed 100 working days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and the Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme. Balagopal explained that these eligible workers would receive Rs 1,000 each as a festival allowance for Onam. The Finance Department has approved Rs 46 crore for this endeavor, with a total of 4.6 lakh individuals anticipated to receive this allowance.