Distribution of Pongal gift hampers begins

Distribution of Pongal gift hampers to ration card holders commenced at the ration shops in central districts on Thursday.

About 8.35 lakh family cardholders, who are eligible to draw rice, would get the Pongal gift packs in Tiruchi district. The gift hampers would be distributed through 1,302 ration shops to 8,35,844 cardholders and 980 inmates of rehabilitation camps for Sri Lankan Tamils in the district.

The gift hampers will include ₹3,000 cash, one kg each of raw rice and sugar; a full sugarcane, besides saris and dhotis.

In Tiruchi, the distribution was inaugurated by Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru and School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi at various ration shops in the city.

Tokens have been issued to eligible families specifying the date and time at which they can collect the hampers from the ration shops.

According to an official release, sugarcane from 312 farmers had been procured for distribution in the district.