The reason behind hunger-free Kerala

When the country enforced a blanket lockdown to check the spread of Covid-19, a large section of people were pushed to the brink of hunger crisis. One of the worst hit were destitute, daily wage labourers, migrants and many who make the floating population. But a timely intervention by the Kerala Government made sure these vulnerable sections were not left starving.

Rising to the occasion, the Kerala government set up 1,255 kitchens in 14 districts in the state and distributed food packets to the needy. Community kitchen, as the kind gesture was named, gave away up to 3 lakh food packets a day, saving hundreds of people who were in danger of starvation during lockdown.

A first of its kind initiative, the scheme was aimed at keeping everyone in the state hunger-free and was implemented through the local bodies of Kerala, with Ernakulam, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur districts receiving the most number of kitchens.

The free food packets were served largely to the vulnerable sections such as the migrant labourers, homeless people living on the streets, destitutes who have been rehabilitated under Ashraya integrated projects, and families which were tapped out after lockdown ended their livelihoods.

The state's local self-governing bodies oversee the operations of the scheme in coordination with the members of Kudumbashree. Cooperative societies and voluntary organisations were also made part of the all-Kerala mission, and their volunteers called the Arogya Sena (Health Army) operate via WhatsApp groups.

Besides Community Kitchens, opening more Janakeeya Restaurants, Kudumbashree started providing more number of meals at cost of Rs 25, a pack of which contained rice, two side-dishes and a pickle, and are home-delivered on booking. The community kitchens also make breakfast and supper and serve them for price between Rs 20 and 30 a plate.

Comments

Thanks to LDF Govt, Kerala is a Gawking-Wage free state

The past five years saw the Kerala Government showcase the courage to act on sensitive issues that led to frequent conflicts in the state. The ban on Nooku Kooli or 'gawking wage' has been one such measure that came as a jolt to trade unions who charged hirers for just looking while others worked. Making this obsolete gawking wage practice unlawful, the government made the all-important step to transform Kerala as an investment-friendly destination Nokku Kooli, which literally translates into 'gawking wage or fees', is a localised term used to refer to the money extortion done by organised labour unions in the state. Under this unwritten law, wages have to be paid to trade union workers for loading and unloading works carried out by other workers or by machines. This practice has received criticism from all quarters for its futility and senselessness, and was considered a product of militant trade unionism that often led to constant fights between workers and busines

Kerala's free school uniform could lift struggling handloom industry

Looking at their neatly folded uniforms laid out at home, LP school students Nitha Kumar and Nimisha seem elated - this time when the schools reopen for classes they will be wearing these brightly designed new skirts and tops. So what is special about them? They are all handwoven by Kerala’s traditional handloom workers and were given for free by the government. An initiative to help the struggling traditional handloom workers, the Kerala Government launched free handloom uniforms for students. Government school students from class I to VII will be wearing the new uniforms as they go to school from next academic year. The project targets 8.5 lakh students as beneficiaries and would procure 42 lakh metres of handloom cloths. Apart from providing uniforms free to students, the scheme aims to help workers in the struggling traditional handloom industry. Though the government is already providing money to buy a pair of uniforms for students up to standard VIII, it is not feasible for th

Under this govt, owning a house no longer a dream

Owning a house is not an easy feat. For many, it takes a lifetime of savings to build one while for others, banks can help out with home loans. In any case, the bulk of people’s wages goes into constructing a house. But, what about those whose dreams of owning a house are beyond their financial capabilities? That is where governments can chip in with financial assistance, and that is exactly what the Kerala government has done through its LIFE Mission programme. The kind gesture from the state brought back smiles to the faces of people who once thought building a house was beyond their reach. The state has, so far, constructed 2.51 lakh houses for its citizens who did not have any fixed abode for long. Those who meet the eligibility for the government assistance can avail the service by applying online. Under the programme, the applicant will receive Rs 4 lakh for a house, to which the Centre makes a contribution of Rs 72,000 in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) rural and Rs 1.5 lak

Kerala Forward

Search This Blog