Alappuzha (Keralam) | Keralam Coir Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday said the state government would provide Rs 2,000 each as ex-gratia to 5,000 coir workers from struggling coir-spinning societies as an Onam gift.

In a Facebook post, Chennithala said the government was entering the Onam season by extending support to workers facing financial difficulties.

"Everyone wants all people to be able to celebrate Onam well. The government is entering this year's Onam celebrations by extending support to those in the workforce who are facing financial difficulties," he said.

He said coir-spinning societies with fewer than 100 workers, which are facing financial difficulties, would be covered under the scheme.

The benefit would be provided to 5,000 workers employed in coir-spinning societies that are unable to function at full capacity, operate for fewer than 100 days a year and produce less than 500 quintals annually, he said.

Chennithala said the government had allocated various amounts for the coir sector under different schemes for the 2026-27 financial year.

He said Rs 5,33,59,613 had been allocated to coir societies under the Production and Marketing Incentive (PMI) scheme, Rs 34,79,41,878 to Kerala State Coir Corporation and Coirfed under the Purchase Price Stabilisation Scheme (PPSS) to ensure stability in the purchase price of coir products, and Rs 48,87,287 as Market Development Assistance (MDA) for coir societies.

He said Rs six crore had been allocated under the Income Support Scheme (ISS) for payment of wages to coir workers, Rs 1.30 crore for their welfare, Rs one crore as ex-gratia assistance to coir workers and Rs 4,56,50,000 for the working capital of coir societies.

The Onam assistance will be handed over to eligible workers engaged in the coir-spinning sector at a function to be held at Thrikkunnapuzha in Alappuzha on Monday, Chennithala said.