Pongal gift scheme to continue after holidays: Minister

“Based on instruction of State Food Minister K Kamaraj, people who did not receive their Pongal gift of Rs 1,000 owing to Pongal holidays can collect from the fair price shops in their locality by showing appropriate documents from Friday,” said the officials attached to Civil Supplies Department, on request of anonymity.

Recently, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami in the Assembly announced Rs 1,000 as Pongal gift for 1.97 crore ration card holders in the state and after cancellation of Tiruvarur by-poll, the Pongal cash gift was extended to Tiruvarur district too. 

However, after the intervention of Madras High Court, the number of beneficiaries was reduced by ten thousand. However, the distribution of cash price was carried on till Monday, on the day of Bhogi. As some of them left before the commencement of Pongal holidays they could not get the cash gift and to facilitate them the Minister announced that people who could not receive the cash can receive even after returning from Pongal holidays. Based on the statement from Minister, the officials have extended the deadline for receiving Rs 1,000 cash gift. 

“Most people have received the cash and only a few are left out. They will collect it by Friday,” said the official. 

When asked about pilferage in cash distribution as some of them received the SMS of receiving cash without even receiving the amount from the fair price shops, the officials said that consumer grievance meeting is arranged on Saturday, in the office of Assistant Commissioners attached to Civil Supplies Department, in their respective localities, where people can register their complaints.