Special Deepavali kit launched at Amudham stores across TN

CHENNAI: In view of Deepavali and other festivals, State Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, R Sakkarapani on Tuesday launched the "Amudham Plus Grocery Package" scheme at a cost of Rs 499.

Sakkarapani launched the scheme at Amudham departmental store, Gopalapuram here.

The "Amudham Plus Grocery Package" includes 15 types of grocery items that are used daily in homes.

Turmeric powder 50g, salt 1 kg, mustard 125g, cumin 100g, fenugreek 100g, anise 50g, pepper 50g, chilli 250g, Tanya 500g, tamarind 500g, urad dal 500g, chickpeas 200g, moong dal 200g, fried groundnut 200g and papaya powder 15g are kept in the package.

According to the minister, the Amudham Plus Grocery Package has been introduced in 10 Amudham Departmental Stores in Chennai on a pilot basis.

Talking to reporters here, Minister Sakkarapani said the sale of Amudham Plus Grocery Package has been introduced on a pilot basis at a cost of Rs 499.

"Instead of Rs 600, we sell it for Rs 499 in 10 Amudham departmental stores including Anna Nagar and Gopalapuram, " he said.

Further, Sakkarapani said the state government has urged the Union Government to provide 25,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Tamil Nadu per month.

"The amount of wheat supplied to TN by the Centre has been increased from 8,000 metric tonnes to 17,100 metric tonnes from October 1," he informed.

He also refuted the alleged delay in issuing new ration cards and stated that in the last three years around 17 lakh new ration cards have been issued.

"For Deepavali festival, all essential commodities including palmolein, toor dal would be available at all the 38,000 Fair Price Shops. Action has been taken to reach the commodities to the ration shops without any delay. There is no room for shortage in ration ships, " added Sakkarapani.