Kerala’s Poshaka Balyam scheme faces major setback amid fund delays

Kannur: The distribution of milk and eggs to children attending anganwadis across Kerala under the Poshaka Balyam scheme has reached a standstill due to delays in issuing government orders allocating funds.

Launched by the state government in 2022, the Poshaka Balyam scheme provided children with milk and eggs twice a week, with funds included in the annual budget. Until December last year, the distribution was carried out promptly as per schedule. However, officials have pointed out that the government order authorising distribution for January 2025 is yet to be issued.

Anticipating the order, some officials independently carried out distribution in select blocks once or twice during the month. However, the lack of funds has hindered any consistent efforts.

The scheme requires over Rs 2 crore per month, with funds typically allocated for three months at a time. For the October-December quarter of 2024, Rs 6.19 crore was sanctioned.

Officials have also highlighted that the allocated amount has not been revised to account for the rising costs of eggs and milk. Similarly, transportation costs have also been overlooked, leading to non-cooperation from contractors involved in the project.

Ration supply, too, hangs in the balance
Meanwhile, ration distribution in Kerala is also facing disruptions due to protests by suppliers and traders. A strike launched by transport contractors since the beginning of January has severely impacted the supply of ration items to the 14,000 ration shops across the state.

Of Kerala’s 98.82 lakh ration card holders, only 52.25 lakhs (55.11 per cent) have received their allotted ration so far this month. This is a sharp decline compared to previous months, and at least 26 lakh beneficiaries will be without their ration for January.

The transport contractors have been protesting the mounting unpaid dues since October last year. Supplyco, however, has maintained that the dues will be cleared only when the contractors withdraw their strike.

Adding to the crisis, ration shop dealers will launch their strike on Monday, demanding wage revisions and other benefits. The only hope for resolution lies in a discussion between the state’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister and Finance Minister on Friday.