Tamil Nadu CM announces Rs 1,000 as Pongal gift to ration card holders

The government has already announced a Pongal gift hamper containing one kg of each rice and sugar, besides sugarcane.

Chennai: Tamil Nadu government on Friday announced Rs 1,000 as Pongal gift to over 2.19 crore families along with a gift hamper containing rice, and sugar.

Chief Minister M K Stalin announced that the cash will be distributed at ration shops to all families except state and central government servants, those paying income tax, people working in PSUs, and sugar ration card holders.

The announcement comes days after the government announced that ration card holders will get a gift hamper containing one kg of raw rice and sugar each, one sugarcane, and a dhoti and a saree at a cost of Rs 238 crore.

In Friday’s statement, Stalin also said eligible beneficiaries of the Rs 1,000 monthly assistance to women will get their money credited into their bank accounts on January 10 instead of January 15 in view of Pongal.