Celebrating Onam in Kerala: Upholding Maveli’s Socialism Through Welfare Initiatives

Thiruvananthapuram: With just one day left for Thiruvonam, the entire state is brimming with excitement. Markets are bustling, and there is a rush of people everywhere, from rural villages to urban centers. As the state government's Onam celebrations begin on Wednesday, the crowds and festive spirit are expected to double. A major highlight this time is that the government's care and support have reached every section of society. Despite the nationwide inflation, Kerala has managed to control prices significantly through effective market interventions.

To ensure a hassle-free Onam celebration, the state has spent over Rs. 20,000 crore — the highest Onam expenditure in the state's history. This has been done despite the financial constraints imposed by the union government.

Over 60 lakh (6 million) people received Rs. 3,200 each as welfare pension, totalling Rs. 1,800 crore. Government employees and teachers received increased bonuses along with arrears of dearness allowance (DA). More than 13 lakh (1.3 million) employees and workers received special financial assistance. 5.5 lakh (550,000) MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)workers were given Rs. 1,200 each as an Onam gift. 6.03 lakh families were given free Onam kits.

This year, all financial assistance related to Onam — including festival allowances and bonuses — was increased. Rs. 1,800 crore was spent on distributing Rs. 3,200 each to over 60 lakh pension beneficiaries. Increased bonuses and pending DA payments were given to government employees and teachers. Over 13 lakh employees and workers received special support. The festival allowance for contract and scheme workers was raised by Rs. 250.

As an Onam gift, Rs. 1,200 was provided to 5.5 lakh job scheme workers. Free Onam kits were distributed to 6.03 lakh families. Workers of shuttered cashew factories received Rs. 2,250 each, and plantation workers were given Onam kits. 12,500 Khadi workers were granted Rs. 2,000 each as a festival allowance.

Traditional workers, numbering 3.8 lakh, received an additional Rs. 50 crore in assistance. Members of the Haritha Karma Sena, CDS chairpersons, and coastal volunteers were also given Onam allowances. This has also been a successful Onam season in terms of market intervention by Supplyco, Consumerfed, and the Agriculture Department. Supplyco’s sales surpassed Rs. 325 crore, with 55 lakh people making purchases from its outlets.

KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) disbursed bonuses and festival allowances to employees. Salaries and benefits were paid before Onam. Employees earning below Rs. 24,000 were given bonuses, and others received festival allowances. The bonus amount was Rs. 7,000. A total of Rs. 6.3 crore was spent to provide a festival allowance of Rs. 3,000 to permanent employees. Around 6,000 temporary staff received a Rs. 1,000 allowance on Monday. Salaries were paid on August 31st.

Dearness allowance (DA) was increased for employees in various cooperative institutions across the state. The revised DA is effective from July 1, 2022. Employees in institutions where the 2021 pay revision has been implemented will receive a 6% hike, and employees in other societies will receive proportionate increases.

In the face of economic challenges and union government placed financial constraints, the Kerala government prioritized its people on Onam. Through timely welfare payments, increased bonuses, free Onam kits, and strong market interventions, the state worked to ensure that every section of society could celebrate without burden. From pensioners and daily-wage workers to government employees and traditional labourers, support reached across the class, upholding a sense of dignity and inclusion.

This Onam is more than just a celebration — it reminds us that Maveli’s dream of dignity and equality can only be achieved through socialism.