In a first, Kerala has announced an ambitious scheme to open community kitchens across the state, and home deliver food to those under quarantine, to combat against people falling to starvation during the ongoing lockdown, CM Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters.
The community kitchens will be formed in each panchayat, where food will be prepared and home delivered to those under home quarantine and in hospitals. The move shall also benefit those who could not get hold of essential supplies in the lockdown.
CM asked those who distribute food to take care of all safety regulations. A telephone number will be given for people to reach out and ask for food. Local self-governments (LSGs) will devise the details of the scheme and appoints the cooks and volunteers, he said.
Vijayan stresses that such schemes cannot be operated in a centralised mode. Good decision. LSGs in Kerala have empowered powers under a decentralized structure and are already acting like a giant social-volunteer force.
"The disease might push people into starvation. This should not happen in Kerala. Some might be reluctant to directly tell people that they need food. So we will float a telephone number which they can call," said Vijayan.
Besides this, the state cabinet on Wed also decided to offer a free food kit, which will include rice and other essential groceries, for the needy through ration shops. CM: There is no need to panic-buy essential items. FCI godowns have stocks that can last to eight months.
The food kits are beyond the already announced advance delivery of two-months social pensions for 54 lakh people and opening of 1000 food canteens in April, where meals will be subsidised to as low as Rs 20.
CM: All existing welfare programmes in nurseries, pregnant women and breastfeeding women will continue despite the lockdown. Passengers stranded in the state will be given special accommodation and food.
