Delta farmers association to file case against State govt.’s Pongal cash dole

The Tamil Nadu Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Protection Association will move the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court against cash payment by State government as part of the “2026 Pongal gift hamper” scheme.

According to association secretary Sundara Vimalanathan, the association filed writ petitions in 2024 seeking a direction from the High Court to the State government that the cash dole that formed part of the Pongal gift hamper that year should be transferred to the eligible ration cardholders through bank account instead of handing it over in person.

While passing the order, the court said that since the process had already commenced, the State government officials involved in the exercise should consider the suggestion of remitting the cash dole in bank accounts of the beneficiaries while executing the scheme, if announced with cash dole, from next year.

However, in 2025 the State government decided not to extend any cash dole in the gift hamper scheme. Even then, the association through its legal representatives reminded the State government about the Madras High Court Bench’s direction in the writ petitions MD218/2024 and WMD23/2024.

Mr. Vimalanathan said the adoption of ‘token issuance’ for disbursement of ₹3,000 as cash dole component of the gift hamper this year amounted to contempt of court. Hence, the prayer before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, he added.