Tamil Nadu govt. has launched TN Pongal Gift Scheme 2024 for poor people. In this scheme, the Tamilnadu government will provide Pongal Gift Hampers to 2.19 crore rice card holders and Sri Lankan Tamils staying in rehabilitation centres. Each Pongal Gift Hamper will comprise of Rs. 1000, 1 Kg rice, 1 Kg sugar and 1 sugarcane. This year, there will be Rs. 1,000 cash component in the hamper.
Thai Pongal festival is between 15 January and 18 January 2023, so the gift hampers will be distributed through fair price shops under Tamilnadu govt. Pongal Gift Scheme from 9th January 2023. The State government has allocated a sum of Rs. 2356.67 crore towards implementing this Gift Hamper scheme for PDS cardholders. A G.O. issued in this regard said the gift hampers will also be distributed to all Sri Lankan Tamils staying in refugee camps.
The ingredients provided in TN Pongal Gift Hamper Scheme are used to prepare the sweet dish – Pongal. This Pongal gift is for 2.19 crore families who are PDS ration cardholders in the state. Pongal gift will cost Rs. 2356.67 crore to the state government.
Tamil Nadu Government Pongal Gift Scheme 2024
Chief Minister M.K Stalin announced the distribution of Pongal gift hampers to 2.19 crore rice card holders along with Sri Lankan Tamils in rehabilitation centres. Starting from January 9, the gift hampers will be distributed through fair price shops. The State government has allocated a sum of Rs. 2356.67 crore towards implementing this scheme. A G.O. issued in this regard said the gift hampers will also be distributed to all Sri Lankan Tamils staying in refugee camps.
This is for the 5th time in the history of the state that the govt. provides such a gift hamper to people on Pongal festival. Thai Pongal festival would be celebrated b/w 15 to 18 January 2022. Last year, the government had given gift hampers comprising of 20 items per family.
List of Items in TN Govt. Pongal Gift Scheme
Last year, i.e in the year 2022, the state govt. of Tamil Nadu is going to distribute gift hampers containing the following items:-
- Raw rice
- Jaggery
- Cashew nuts
- Dry grapes
- Cardamom
- Moong dal
- Ghee
- Turmeric powder
- Chilli powder
- Coriander powder
- Mustard
- Jeera
- Pepper
- Tamarind
- Bengal gram
- Urad dal
- Rava
- Wheat flour
- Salt
- Cloth bag
This year, i.e in FY 2023, the state govt. will provide Rs. 1000 cash, 1 Kg sugar, 1 Kg rice, 1 sugarcane to all PDS ration card holder families to celebrate Pongal 2023 festival. This Pongal Gift Scheme would be applicable to the entire state.
He added that the authorities will issue the tokens to the cardholders at their doorstep. The public can go to the public distribution outlets on the given date and collect the gift hamper which will have raw rice, dry grapes, cashews, cardamom and other items.
Source / Reference Link: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/tamil-nadu-dmk-stalin-pongal-gift-8379556/