Distribution of sarees and dhotis free of cost to eligible beneficiaries and ‘pongal gift’ to rice-card holders commenced in Kancheepuram district on Monday.
Presiding over the inaugural function at Vellingapattarai in Kancheepuram municipality limit, the collector, K. Baskaran, said sarees would be distributed to 8,66,538 women and dhotis to 8,37,012 men in the district. Pongal gift, comprising 1 kg each of raw rice and sugar, and Rs. 100 will be given to 6,18,953 card holders through 1,437 fair-price shops functioning in the district.
The total number of ‘pongal gift’ beneficiaries includes the 1,958 rice cards belonging to families of police personnel, he said.
Launching the distribution, animal husbandry minister, T.K.M. Chinnaiah, said the Union government, which levies various kinds of taxes in the States, was supposed to release the State governments’ share, but, of late, it had not fulfilled its obligation in this regard.
However, the State government continued to implement various welfare schemes despite the financial crisis caused due to the Union government’s attitude, he said.