T.N. Chief Minister Stalin launches distribution of Pongal gift hampers

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin launches Pongal gift distribution for rice ration card holders and Sri Lankan Tamils.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday (January 09, 2025) launched the distribution of Pongal gift hampers to eligible rice ration card holders and Sri Lankan Tamils living in camps across the State.

The Chief Minister launched the distribution at a ration shop in Saidapet in Chennai. Over 2.20 crore rice ration card holders and Sri Lankan Tamil families living in camps are set to benefit from the scheme, an official release said. As part of the free dhoti and sari distribution scheme, over 1,77,22,000 dhotis and 1,77,64,000 saris are set to be given out across the State, it said.

Ahead of Pongal, Mr. Stalin has also instructed officials to deposit the monthly aid of ₹1,000 for women under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam on Thursday.

While responding to a query in the Legislative Assembly, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu said the State government was not able to add a cash component as part of the Pongal gift due to the financial crunch it was facing.

When CPI member K. Marimuthu urged the Tamil Nadu government to distribute cash gift of at least ₹1,000 along with the Pongal gift hamper, the Minister cited the expenditure the State government incurred due to the natural disasters and the non-receipt of funds requested from the Union government.

When AIADMK legislator A. Govindasamy (Pappireddipatti) recalled that Mr. Stalin, as the Leader of the Opposition, had sought for a Pongal gift of ₹5,000, Leader of the House Duraimurugan said, in a lighter vein, that there was no election approaching.

Mr. Govindasamy pointed out that beneficiaries of old age pension (OAP) were excluded from the free dhoti and sari distribution.