As the Kerala lockdown to check the coronavirus outbreak enters Day 8 on Tuesday, the state has opened up many avenues to make life a tad easier for its 3.3 crore population. Onmanorama compiles a list of essential and other services available at the time of crisis in the state.
Validity period extension, additional talktime
BSNL and MTNL will extend validity period of their prepaid mobile services till April 20 and offer Rs 10 additional talktime even after zero balance, to enable users, especially poor and underprivileged, to stay connected during the 21-day nationwide lockdown.
Airtel
Bharti Airtel also announced an extension in the validity period of more than 8 crore pre-paid connections until April 17 as well as credited talk time of Rs 10 in these accounts.
Call centre for migrant labourers
For resolving the issues of migrant labourers during the lockdown period, the state government's labour department has set up call centres in all districts. The following are the contact numbers:
District Labour Officer (G) Thiruvananthapuram 0471-2783942 8547655254
District Labour Officer (E) Thiruvananthapuram 0471-2783946 8547655256
District Labour Officer (G) Kollam 0474-2794820 8547655257
District Labour Officer (E) Kollam 0474-2794820 8547655258
District Labour Officer, Pathanamthitta 0468-2222234 8547655259
District Labour Officer (G) Alappuzha 0477-2253515 8547655260
District Labour Officer (E) Alappuzha 0477-2253515 8547655261
District Labour Officer, Idukki 0486-2222363 8547655262
District Labour Officer (G) Kottayam 0481-2564365 8547655264
District Labour Officer (E) Kottayam 0481-2564365 8547655265
District Labour Officer (G) Ernakulam 0484-2423110 8547655267
District Labour Officer (E) Ernakulam 0484-2423110 8547655266
District Labour Officer (G) Thrissur 0487-2360469 8547655268
District Labour Officer (E) Thrissur 0487-2360469 8547655269
District Labour Officer (G) Palakkad 0491-2505584 8547655270
District Labour Officer (E) Palakkad 0491-2505584 8547655271
District Labour Officer (G) Malappuram 0483-2734814 8547655272
District Labour Officer (E) Malappuram 0483-2734814 8547655273
District Labour Officer (G) Kozhikode 0495-2370538 8547655274
District Labour Officer (E) Kozhikode 0495-2370538 8547655275
District Labour Officer, Wayanad 0493-6203905 8547655276
District Labour Officer (G) Kannur 0497-2700353 8547655277
District Labour Officer (E) Kannur 0497-2700353 8547655278
District Labour Officer (G) Kasargod 0499-4256950 8547655279
District Labour Officer (E) Kasargod 0499-4256950 8547655263
State Level Labour Call Centre
155214 (BSNL)
1800 425 55214 (Toll free)
Banks extend working hours
Banks have extended working hours from 10am to 4 pm till April 4. The arrangement will continue till April 4.
This is being done to curb the expected rush to withdraw salary, service pension and welfare pension.
SLBC clarified that beneficiaries should not hurry to withdraw the welfare pension and centre's financial aid as it will remain intact in their account.
Pension distribution
On April 2, service pension will be distributed to those whose bank account number ends with 0 and 1. On April 3, pension will be given to those whose account number ends with 2 and 3.
Here is the distribution schedule:
April 2: Account number ending with 0 and 1
April 3: Account number ending with 2 and 3
April 4: Account number ending with 4 and 5
April 6: Account number ending with 6 and 7
Free ration, food-grain kits from April 1
The ration distribution announced by the state government in the light of COVID-19 will start from April 1. The free food-grain kits will also be distributed this week. The Food and Civil Supplies department has made all the required arrangements.
Everyday, the priority groups will be served the free ration till noon. Ration distribution for non-priority groups will be in the afternoon.Free ration distribution will be completed before April 20.
Doctors on call
The Kottayam unit of Indian Systems of Medicine has put out a list of doctors people could contact, and also the time at which they are available, during lockdown.
General Medicine
Dr Sushas John, BAMS, MD - 9400630465 (9am - 1pm)
Dr Naveen Varghese, BAMS, MD - 9496356548 (9am - 1pm)
Paediatrics
Dr Amal P Babu - BAMS, MD - 9544176969 (9am - 1pm)
Mental health
Dr Adithya Subramaniam - BAMS, MD - 8089861292 (9am - 1pm)
Gynaecology
Dr Rakhi - BAMS, MD - 9447400555 (4pm - 6pm)
ENT/Ophthalmology
Dr Jerome V Kurien - BAMS, MD - 9447190200 (9am - 1pm)
Dr Anoopa - BAMS, MD - 8921170167 (9am – 1pm)
Vehicle passes online
The affidavit and vehicle pass for emergency trips during the lockdown woul be made available online too, state police chief Loknath Behera informed. Public can access the facilities on https://pass.bsafe.kerala.gov.in.
One person can avail the affidavit and vehicle pass only thrice a week. There will be legal action against those misusing the facility.
Click here to get your affidavit
Kasaragod travel pass
To get travel permits, those in the worst-hit Kasaragod district may contact 04994-255001, 04994-255043, 04994-256-044.
Malappuram travel curbs
If you plan to hit the roads without a pressing need in Malappuram, think again.
District Collector Jafar Malik has directed the Regional Transport Officer to temporarily suspend the license and vehicle registration in view of the increased tendency to hit the roads in the district.
Animal Husbandry dept starts helpline
State Animal Husbandry department has arranged helplines in various districts to make available the services of the department to farmers.
State-level helpline numbers are: 9447533197, 9447419445, 9446443740
Districts contacts:
Thiruvananthapuram: 0471-2302643, 9447396153, Kollam: 0474-2795076, 9847136387, Pathanamthitta: 0468-2270908, 9446560650, Alappuzha: 0477-2252635, 6282470389, Kottayam: 0481-2564623, 9447414758, Idukki: 0486-2221545, 9447219215, Ernakulam: 0484-2351264, 9995511742, Thrissur: 0487-2440232, 9447246970, Palakkad: 0491-2534220, 9446416158, Malappuram: 0483-2734815, 9447483172, Kozhikode: 0495-2368349, 8281524470, Wayanad: 0493-6202729, 9447394946, Kannur: 0497-2700184, 9847001193, Kasaragod: 0499-4224624, 9446940075.
Essential commodities at your home
Kerala police cyberdome has come out with an app to facilitate the delivery of essential commodities at your home till lockdown is in effect. The facility is in association with the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi.
Consumers and traders can use the app or website.
Click here to download the app for consumers
Click here to download the app for shops
Medicines at your doorsteps
You can get medicines from Supplyco-run medical shops at your doorsteps, CMD PM Ali Asgar informed. You can make the payment on delivery or through online.
To avail this facility either download med-store.in app, call 984728883, or WhatsApp 7907055696.
For details contact: 0471-2317755, 9846984303.
Indian Dental Society helpline
To back the government's effort to keep people off the roads, the Indian Dental Society has created a helpline. The helpline would provide information to affected people. In case of emergency, the patients will be referred to a functional centre.
Donate to CM's relief fund
Donations to the Kerala Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund can be made through https://donation.cmdrf.kerala.gov.in/