This document summarizes the Indian government's response to a request from the Kerala state government for additional rice allocation in anticipation of the Onam festival in September 2025. Kerala requested an additional 5 kg of rice per Non-National Food Security Act (NFSA) cardholder at the "Tide Over" rate and a relaxation of the monthly ceiling limit for excess use of the "Tide Over" portion, via a letter dated July 1, 2025, and received on July 2, 2025. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution responded on July 31, 2025, informing Kerala that it could procure additional rice through the Open Market Sales Scheme (OMSS) or existing policy guidelines for festivals, natural calamities, or law and order situations, and advised them to submit a request accordingly. The ministry also noted that Kerala is permitted to advance lift and distribute up to six months of rations allocated under the NFSA, suggesting they explore this option to meet Onam festival needs. The response was provided by the Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shrimati Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4542, answered on August 20, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Kerala: A state in India, specifically mentioned as requesting additional rice allocation.
SHRI K RADHAKRISHNAN: Member of LOK SABHA who raised the question about rice allocation to Kerala.
SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA: Minister of State for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution who provided the answer to the question.
Onam festival: A festival in Kerala, the reason for the request of additional rice allocation.
National Food Security Act: A law related to food security, relevant because the request involves allocation for Non-NFSA card holders.
Open Market Sales Scheme (OMSS): A scheme through which the Government of Kerala can procure additional rice.
Department of Food and Public Distribution: Department under the MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Union Government: Central Government of India
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4542
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20TH AUGUST, 2025
ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION OF RICE TO KERALA
4542. SHRI K RADHAKRISHNAN:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the State Government of Kerala has submitted a request for additional allocation
of rice from the central pool in view of the upcoming C)nam festival;
(b) if so, the details of the request received including the quantity of rice sought and the date
on which it was received by the Union Government;
(C) whether the Union Government has taken any decision regarding this request;
(d) if so, the details of the action taken and the quantity of rice allocated to Kerala for C)nam
festival celebrations;
(e) if not, the reasons for the delay or rejection and whether the Government would consider
urgent allocation to ensure food security and festival support for the people of Kerala; and
(f) if so, the details thereon
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a) & (b): Yes Sir, Government of Kerala vide its letter dated 01.07.2025, received on 02.07.2025,
requested for additional allocation of 5 Kg of Rice at Tide Over rate for Non NFS A (National Food
Security Act) card holders in September 2025 and to relax the monthly ceiling limit regarding
excess use of Tide over portion in view of C)nam festival.
(c) to (f): Govt. of Kerala has been informed, vide letter dated 31.07.2025, that it may avail
additional quantities of rice through OMSS (Open Market Sales Scheme) provisions or through the
extant policy guidelines for additional allocation of wheat & rice on account of festivals, natural
calamities and law & order situation. Accordingly, Govt. of Kerala may submit a request in this
regard
For relaxing the monthly ceiling limit in view of C)nam Festival, it has already been
informed that States are permitted to advance lift and distribute upto 6 months of the ration
allocated under the NFS A. Therefore, Govt. of Kerala may also explore the provision of advance
lifting as per its requirements in accordance with the extant guidelines.
SeScSeS cR