Kerala Food Department Denies Ration Rice Price Hike During Onam Season

The Kerala Food Department has denied reports of a hike in ration rice prices during Onam season. According to the department, there is no increase in price or reduction in the normal quota of ration rice.

A change in the availability of rice under the Centre's tide-over quota had affected the supply of special rice during the festival season. The state earlier received 33,294 metric tonnes of rice but now receives 26,835 metric tonnes of rice and 6,459 metric tonnes of wheat.

The department attributed this change to the previous Left government, which had sought a reduction in rice allocation in December 2025. This resulted in a shortage of rice for special Onam distribution.

To compensate for the reduction, additional rice is being made available to blue, white, and brown cardholders at Rs 26 per kg over and above their normal ration quota.