Rs 1,000 to be given for Pongal with gift hamper: Stalin

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday announced the distribution of Rs 1,000 Pongal cash gift along with the Pongal gift hamper to all eligible ration card holders in the state for the harvest festival.

A release issued by the state government Friday afternoon said that Chief Minister Stalin announced that Rs 1,000 Pongal gift would be distributed in cash through Fair Price Shops before Pongal to all eligible ration card holders to help the people celebrate Pongal festival in a grand manner in the state. The Pongal cash gift would be distributed to all ration card holders except the employees of the union and state governments, public sector undertakings, Income Tax payers and people holding sugar and no-commodity cards in the state.

Stalin has also issued orders to transfer Rs 1,000 monthly KMUT (Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai) honorarium to the accounts to the 1.15 crore women beneficiaries in the state in advance on January 10. Launched in September last, the monthly honorarium would usually be deposited in the beneficiaries accounts only on the 15th of every month.

Earlier on January 2, 2024, the state government announced the distribution of pongal gift hampers comprising a kilogram each of raw rice, sugar and one full sugar cane. Also, the government has already dispatched the free veshtis and sarees manufactured in advance for distribution during the annual Pongal festival.

The Chief Minister’s announcement has put to bed speculation about the state government doing away with Pongal cash gift distribution.

Leader of Opposition K Palaniswami had in fact urged the state government to distribute Rs 5,000 each to ration card holders for the Pongal festival.