Shri. V.E. Abdul Gafoor

Onam is a magnificent and cherished concept that embodies the spirit of Kerala. Transcending the boundaries of caste and religion, it is a celebration that fills every Malayali with pride. Every Onam celebration inspires us to overcome challenges, instils confidence, and reminds us that we are not alone in times of adversity. May everyone be able to set aside their sorrows and difficulties and celebrate Onam with their family members and friends.The hardships caused by natural disasters have not yet completely passed. Yet, through every celebration, we gain the strength and confidence to overcome adversity. The Government has put in place all necessary arrangements to enable everyone to celebrate Onam without the burden of rising prices. May this Thiruvonam bring happiness and give us renewed strength for the journey ahead.At a time when those who seek to sow hatred and division in society and profit from it are waiting for opportunities, we must stand united, transcending differences of caste and religion. That, too, is the message of the Onam celebration.Onam is being celebrated not only in Kerala but by Malayalis across the world. I extend my warmest wishes to all of them on this joyous occasion.

As the entire state welcomes Onam, government interventions, services, and welfare schemes that support public life are becoming increasingly popular. Through projects implemented across various sectors including healthcare, education, social security, agriculture, and infrastructure, the government aims to extend the benefits of development to all levels of society. Through government interventions focused on public welfare, Onam becomes a celebration of joy, security, and participation. Considering the socio-economic and cultural context of the state, comprehensive development and welfare measures are being executed in Kerala.Onam @ KeralaOrganized by the State Tourism Department, this year's state-level Onam Tourism Week celebrations will take place from August 24 to 30. The Onam celebrations this time are arranged to simultaneously showcase Kerala's cultural diversity, traditions, artistic heritage, and tourism potential. Hundreds of venues are being prepared across all districts. Over 8,000 artists will participate state-wide in this Onam-Tourism Week celebration. Concluding the Onam Tourism Week, an Onam Pageant (Ghoshayatra) will be organized in Thiruvananthapuram, featuring participation from 62 government departments and over 100 art forms, including folk art forms from various states.Special importance is given to Kerala's native artistic heritage during this Onam celebration. More than 170 cultural programs will be conducted across various districts. Numerous folk art forms will also be presented in the Onam celebrations organized under the leadership of District Tourism Promotion Councils (DTPCs). In addition to musical shows, dance performances, comedy shows, plays, and Kathaprasangam, folk art forms have been given major priority in the districts this time. Native art forms such as folk songs, Chakyar Koothu, Garudan Thookkam, Tholpavakoothu, Villu Kalamelam, Kaniyar Kali, Porattu Kali, Thira, and Poothan will be performed.Extensive arrangements are being made by the police to ensure public safety and control crowds during the celebrations. Special systems will be established for parking facilities, traffic control, and crowd management.The Onam celebrations will be organized fully adhering to the Green Protocol. Necessary plans have been formulated for this in cooperation with the Suchitwa Mission. Additionally, as part of the Onam Week celebrations, the Tourism Department will organize Athapookalam (floral carpet), Thiruvathira, and Payasam (sweet dessert) competitions.Welfare Pensions and Other BenefitsProcedures for the timely distribution of welfare pensions and other benefits in connection with Onam have been completed. Welfare pension distribution will begin on August 19, with ₹1,105 crore allocated for this purpose. This step is part of the state government's policy that not a single month's pension should be delayed. The state's share of ₹951.40 crore has been sanctioned for over 59 lakh beneficiaries of social security pensions, and ₹130.32 crore for 6.59 lakh people across 16 Welfare Board Funds. An amount of ₹24.76 crore has also been allocated as the National Social Assistance Programme share.An amount of ₹630.05 crore was sanctioned for the benefits of government employees and pensioners. An additional ₹24 crore was allocated to clear all Anganwadi pensioners' arrears up to July 31, following a previous allocation of ₹10 crore. Employees and teachers have been granted a bonus of ₹4,500, an Onam advance of ₹20,000, and a festival allowance of ₹3,000 for those ineligible for the bonus. Part-time contingent employees receive an advance of ₹6,000. Service pensioners get a bonus of ₹1,250, and Asha/Anganwadi workers receive a festival allowance of ₹1,450. To clear backward class scholarship arrears, ₹310 crore was allocated. For emergency liabilities under schemes like Aarogyakiranam, ₹200 crore was released. Additionally, ₹150 crore was provided to clear Paddy Receipt Sheet (PRS) arrears for paddy procured through Supplyco.Along with providing an advance of ₹53 crore as subsidy to Supplyco, ₹25 crore was allocated to Consumerfed. A total of ₹45.09 crore was sanctioned for employment guarantee schemes, including ₹44.24 crore to provide ₹1,200 each to 3.68 lakh families who completed 100 days of work under MGNREGS, and ₹85 lakh to provide ₹1,200 each to 7,080 individuals who completed 100 days under the Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme. An amount of ₹44 crore was sanctioned to distribute wages, including increased rates, for school cook staff.Furthermore, ₹26.47 crore was allocated to the Lottery Welfare Fund. Financial assistance and rehabilitation support amounting to ₹14.40 crore was released for Endosulfan victims. A sum of ₹5.28 crore was earmarked for providing 'Onakkodi' (new clothes) to 52,826 Scheduled Tribe individuals aged above 60. For salary arrears of Sports Council contract staff, ₹1.5 crore was sanctioned, and ₹20–21 lakh was granted for relief to workers in closed plantations. The monthly assistance under the Aaswasakiranam scheme was raised from ₹600 to ₹1,000. For the handloom uniform scheme, ₹30 crore was allocated, including weaving wages.Onam @ ConsumerfedConsumerfed will set up 2,000 cooperative markets across the state, operating from August 16 to 25. These outlets are being opened through Triveni Supermarkets, District Wholesale Cooperative Stores, Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies, SC/ST societies, and Fishermen Cooperative Societies. Products will be available at discounts ranging from 30% to 50% compared to the general market.Department of Agriculture @ OnamTo ensure better markets for farmers and quality agricultural produce at fair prices for consumers during the Onam season, 2,000 Onam markets ('Onasamriddhi' - Farmer Fairs) are being organized across the state under the leadership of the Department of Agriculture Development and Farmers' Welfare. Operating under the theme "Better Prices for Farmers – Fair Prices for Consumers," the initiative is being executed through Krishibhavans, VFPCK, and Horticorp.This year, at least one Onam market is ensured in every Grama Panchayat, Municipality, and Corporation in the state. Out of the 2,000 total markets, 1,074 will be organized by the Department of Agriculture, 160 by VFPCK, and 766 by Horticorp. These markets will function in collaboration with Krishibhavans, local self-government institutions, farmer collectives, Eco Shops, clusters, and Krishikkoottams.Along with locally produced fruits and vegetables, these Onam markets will stock Marayoor jaggery, Marayoor garlic, honey, value-added agricultural products, and Kerala Groove brand products. All markets will operate following the Green Protocol.Onam @ KSRTCIn connection with Onam, KSRTC will run additional services from August 18 to September 2 connecting various centers in Kerala with Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Chennai. Tickets can be booked via www.keralartc.com, the mobile app, or ticket counters.Green OnamThe 2026 Onam Week celebrations will be conducted under the "Green Onam" concept, aimed at organizing clean, hygienic, smooth, and successful events, minimizing waste generation, and segregating waste at the source for scientific processing.This Onam will transform into a safe, sustainable, and inclusive celebration where the benefits of government welfare initiatives reach every section of society. Bringing art, culture, tourism, and commerce together, the Onam celebration marks Kerala's diversity and progress while ensuring the happiness and well-being of all. 

Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan stated that police stations should not be places of fear for the public, but places where they receive help and protection. He emphasized that the long-standing perception of fear regarding the police must change, and public trust should be built so people view the police as their friends and helpers. At the same time, he added that criminals must fear that if they commit a crime, the police will track them down and bring them to justice. He was speaking after inaugurating the state-level launch of the Kerala Police's 'My Police Station' project at the Peroorkada Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram.Officers must behave with gentleness and affection toward everyone who visits a police station, including the elderly, women, and children. Anyone coming to file a complaint should feel confident that they will receive justice there. The Chief Minister also noted that the 'My Police Station' project promotes a modern, highly people-friendly concept of policing.Changes in the police's investigative methods and approach are essential to match the evolving nature of crime. In a scenario where criminals utilize modern tools like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic technology, the police force must be equipped accordingly. By leveraging modern technology, a more professional and efficient police force should be built, alongside a system that interacts amicably with the public. The Chief Minister expressed hope that the 'My Police Station' project will achieve both these goals simultaneously.He also referenced the state's fight against illicit drugs, stating that the Kerala Police's efforts to rescue the younger generation from the grip of narcotics should serve as a model for the country and the world. During the event, the Chief Minister also released the official logo of the 'My Police Station' project.Presiding over the function, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala stated that the 'My Police Station' project is an unforgettable milestone in the history of the Kerala Police. He shared that directions have been issued to expedite the removal of abandoned vehicles lying around police station premises for years and to deposit the proceeds from them into the treasury. He also mentioned that, for the first time in the state's history, women are being appointed as Station House Officers across 63 police stations.