Pongal gift hamper distribution begins in Ramanathapuram; 4.03 lakh card holders eligible

A total of 4,03,006 card holders including 450 residing in the Mandapam Rehabilitation Centre would benefit from the Pongal gift hamper issued by the Tamil Nadu government, said Ramanathapuram District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon here on Thursday.

Speaking to media persons, the Collector said that the Chief Minister had kicked off the distribution in Chennai. Following this, the district administration began giving away rice, sugarcane and ₹3,000 in cash to eligible card holders.

For the benefit of the card holders, tokens are being issued to them and there need not be any panic or crowding at the PDS outlets, said District Supply Officer Kasi. For supervising the distribution, officers in the rank of Deputy Collector would be posted. Similarly, to ensure that there was no overcrowding, police personnel are also deployed.

District Revenue officer V. Sankaranarayanan said that elaborate arrangements have been made to distribute the gift hamper to all the eligible family card holders and said that until the exercise was completed, the ration shops would function.