Agriculture Minister announces week-long Onam festivities across Wayanad district

Agriculture Minister T. Siddique has announced week-long Onam festivities across Wayanad district, describing the harvest festival as a celebration of the region's resilience that unites all sections of society. He inaugurated the district-level celebrations in Kalpetta on Monday, August 24.

Price control measures during festival season

The State government has deployed extensive measures through the Civil Supplies department to prevent price rises during Onam, with the Civil Supplies Corporation recording a turnover of ₹300 crore statewide. Around 2,000 markets established under the Agriculture department are offering essential commodities at a 30% discount.

The government has cleared all dues to farmers for vegetables procured from them, while the full amount owed to paddy farmers will be disbursed by August 31, according to Mr. Siddique. "The government is taking strong measures to ensure that everyone can celebrate Onam without financial hardship," he said.

Healthcare infrastructure announcement

Mr. Siddique announced that administrative and technical sanctions have been secured for constructing a critical care block at Elston Estate, adjacent to Kalpetta General Hospital, at a cost of ₹45 crore, with construction set to begin soon.

Distribution of Onam support

The Minister distributed Onam kits provided by the Akshaya Patra Foundation to bedridden patients in Kalpetta block panchayat, Chooralmala, and township areas. He also handed out laptops—donated by EYGDS company under its corporate social responsibility programme—to 50 eligible students pursuing various courses in the district, along with Onam clothes.

Tourism-focused events until August 30

A series of programmes will run at tourist destinations across Wayanad until August 30, organised with support from Destination Management Councils, tourism clubs, and voluntary organisations. Special programmes will feature participation from local residents at major tourist sites.

Scheduled events include a hill-climbing event, 'Climb with Maveli', at Cheengeri Mala in Ambalavayal at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, followed by a mega Onam floral carpet covering 25,000 square metres at Government High School, Irulam. A district-level tug-of-war competition will take place at Meenangadi at 2 p.m. on August 28.

On August 29, a State-level kayaking competition is scheduled at Karlad Lake at 9 a.m., followed by district-level Kaikottikali and mega Thiruvathira performances at Gandhi Memorial Arts and Sports Club Indoor Stadium, Chulliyode, from 4 p.m.. A district-level mud football competition near Kuruva Island will begin at 10 a.m. on August 29, followed by an Onam feast at 12.30 p.m. and local competitions at 2 p.m..

Source: The Hindu