Stating that nobody should go hungry in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday announced his government's plan to start community kitchens in every panchayat in the state in the backdrop of coronavirus induced lockdown.
It is for the first time that a state government is starting a community kitchen in the backdrop of the nationwide lockdown declared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.
Vijayan said every panchayat in the state will have a dedicated phone number and anybody who calls to that number for food will get it delivered at their home. Only cooked food will be delivered through this project.
Panchayats will be held directly responsible for managing the community kitchens and the state civil supplies will be providing groceries required for that, the chief minister said.
“Some people may find it tough to ask for food from others even if they are hungry. But if the government provides a number, anybody can call that number freely,'' he said.
“Also, there are people who cannot cook food at home— because of old age or illness or because they are differently-abled. They should not go hungry during the lockdown. The local bodies should ensure they get food,'' Vijayan added.
The chief minister also announced that every family in the state will get a grocery kit. Families who are not on priority list will also get 15 kilo rice for free.
He said the government will also ensure that cancer patients, heart patients and kidney patients get their medicines.
