The Kerala government has allocated Rs 33.92 crore for Onam-related benefits for employees and pensioners of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Transport Minister CP John said on Saturday (August 22).
The package includes salary advances, festival allowances and bonuses for eligible permanent employees, along with a festival allowance for more than 42,000 pensioners ahead of Thiruonam on August 26.
The announcement comes as Kerala steps up festival-season preparations, with the Food Safety Department also launching round-the-clock inspections at major border check-posts and e-commerce warehouses under its ‘Safe Onam’ campaign.
Benefits for KSRTC employees
In a Facebook post, the Transport Minister said permanent KSRTC employees will receive a Rs 10,000 Onam salary advance and a Rs 3,000 festival allowance. Eligible employees will also be paid a bonus. Temporary employees of the State-owned transport corporation will receive an Onam allowance of Rs 1,000.
The government said the package is intended to support KSRTC staff and their families during one of Kerala’s most important festival seasons.
“The government is committed to ensuring the welfare of KSRTC employees and pensioners and recognising their sincere service and dedication,” State Minister John said while extending Onam greetings to employees and their families.
Allowance restored for pensioners
A total of 42,549 KSRTC pensioners will receive a festival allowance of Rs 1,250 each. According to the minister, this is the first time since 2019 that KSRTC pensioners are being given an Onam allowance. The decision is significant for retired employees, many of whom depend on pensions and festival assistance to manage additional household expenses during Onam.
The allocation covers benefits for both serving staff and pensioners, reflecting the government’s effort to extend festival support across the KSRTC workforce.
Food-safety drive for Onam
Alongside the employee-benefit announcement, the Kerala Food Safety Department has intensified checks on food consignments entering the State as demand rises ahead of Onam. State Health Minister K Muraleedharan said round-the-clock inspections are under way at five important border checkposts-Aryankavu, Kumily, Walayar, Meenakshipuram and Karali.
Mobile food-testing laboratories have been placed at these locations to carry out immediate checks on vehicles transporting fruits, vegetables, milk, dairy products, edible oils, jaggery and other food items. The inspections are part of the department’s ‘Safe Onam’ campaign, aimed at preventing unsafe, contaminated or substandard products from reaching consumers during the festival.
The Food Safety Department has also expanded the Onam special drive to warehouses and so-called dark stores used by e-commerce companies, as online ordering of groceries and food products rises during the festive period. Special inspections have been conducted at facilities linked to platforms including Flipkart, BigBasket and Blinkit. So far, the Onam special squad has completed 80 inspections at such warehouses.
Officials have collected samples of commonly purchased festival products, including ghee, jaggery, payasam mix and coconut oil, for laboratory testing. They are also examining whether warehouses are storing expired goods, maintaining required temperatures, displaying accurate labels and following proper storage practices.
Muraleedharan said strict action under the Food Safety Act will be taken against establishments found violating the rules.
Know more about Onam festival and why it’s celebrated?
Onam is Kerala’s major harvest and cultural festival, celebrated over ten days in the Malayalam month of Chingam, usually falling in August or September. It commemorates the annual homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali, remembered in tradition as a benevolent ruler whose reign represented prosperity, equality and happiness.
According to the popular legend, Mahabali was sent to the netherworld by Vamana but was granted permission to return once a year to visit his people; Thiruvonam marks this symbolic return. The festival also celebrates the agricultural harvest and the values of shared prosperity and community. Homes and public places are decorated with flower carpets called pookkalams, families prepare the traditional vegetarian Onasadya feast, and celebrations include boat races, folk performances, games and new clothes.