As many as 7,78,101 ration cardholders will get Pongal gift hampers with ₹1,000 each in Tiruchi district, according to Vellamandi N. Natarajan, Minister for Tourism.
Inaugurating the distribution of Pongal gifts at Vellai Poolampatti near Manapparai on Sunday, he said that a sum of ₹89 crore had been allotted for the scheme.
The family cardholders could get the gift hampers in their respective ration shops from January 9 to January 12. Besides one kg of rice and sugar, the cardholders would be given a dhoti and saree free of cost.
Collector S. Sivarasu said that special arrangements have been taken to ensure systematic distribution of gift hampers. Distribution of the hampers would be closely monitored.
Perambalur
S. Valarmathi, Minister for Backward Classes and Minority Welfare inaugurated the distribution of the Pongal gift pack to beneficiaries here on Sunday.
A total of 1,77,025 ration cardholders attached to 282 fair price shops in the district will receive the festival gift package, Ms. Valarmathi said.
Ms. Valarmathi said that the schemes introduced by the Tamil Nadu government were focussed on the welfare of women, citing the schemes for two-wheelers and marriage assistance envisioned by late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
The gift pack contains one kg each of rice and sugar, one sugarcane stalk, 20 grams each of cashew and raisins, and five grams of cardamom along with ₹ 1000.
The gift packs will be given to 34,263 ration card holders in Alathur block, 47,803 in Kunnam, 47,582 in Perambalur and 47,337 card holders in Veppanthattai.
Nagapattinam
In Nagapattinam district, Textiles Minister O. S. Manian inaugurated thescheme in the presence of Collector Praveen P. Nair, District Revenue Officer M. Indumathi and other senior officials at Thambirankudikadu village in Vedaranyam Panchayat Union, and at a fair price shop in Nagapattinam town.
The festival gift pack will be given to 4,66,499 beneficiary families through 777 fair price shops, at a total expenditure of Rs. 49.21 crore, he said.
The gift pack will be provided from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., and from 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., from January 9 to 12, Mr. Manian said.
Pudukottai
Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar on Sunday distributed Pongal gift bag along with ₹ 1,000 cash to ration card holders in connection with the Pongal festival.
The festival package will be distributed at the ration shops to card holders up to January 13. The special Pongal gift would be given to 4,53,340 ration card holders in the district, he further said. The Minister distributed the gift bags at Pudukottai, Malaikudipatti and Viralimalai.
Collector P. Uma Maheswari and cooperative department officials were present on the occasion.
