Pongal gift reached nearly 98 per cent of ration cardholders, says Sellur Raju 

Last month, the cost of onion and shallots hit an all-time high of Rs 150 to Rs 200 and now due to the yield and steps taken by the state, the prices have scaled down, he added.

“The Chief Minister instructed that the Pongal cash gift should be a hassle-free exercise for the public and the department made sure that the denomination of two 500-rupee notes were available at all ration shops to ensure smooth distribution of Pongal cash gift. In fact, the media was looking out for any breaking news or lapses during the Pongal distribution, but we gave no opportunity for negative publicity,” the Minister said.

Commenting on DMK leader MK Stalin’s reaction to the awards conferred by the Centre, the Minister said that the behaviour of the Opposition leader was strange. “The DMK leader is unable to digest the good governance of AIADMK. Mudslinging has become the daily routine of Stalin and it is unfair on his part to accuse the Centre, which has given several awards for the state after evaluating the Palaniswami government.”

Raju pointed out that the state is focussed on improving farm produce and Kudimaramathu schemes completed ahead of the last monsoon has helped the TN farmers now. “The farmers are now going in for extra crops this season and the prices of vegetables have come down and will continue to be at affordable rates,” the Minister said.

Earlier in the day, the Minister conducted a review meeting with cooperative department higher officials. The ongoing cooperative department projects were discussed and the department is also monitoring the prices of other essential commodities and the supply of ration materials, a press release said.