Ministers inaugurate distribution of Pongal gift hampers in Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari districts

Ministers Anitha Radhakrishnan, P. Geetha Jeevan and T. Mano Thangaraj inaugurated the distribution of Pongal gift hampers in Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari districts on Thursday.

According to the State government’s order the pongal gift hamper will be distributed to all eligible card holders and Sri Lankan Tamils living in camps across the State. The hamper includes one kilogram of raw rice, one kilogram of sugar, one full sugarcane and ₹ 3,000 cash.

Thoothukudi district Collector K. Elambahavath presided over the distribution event held at Ammanpuram village panchayat in Tiruchendur taluk.

At the event Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Mr. Radhakrishnan said that effective measures were being taken to celebrate ‘Samathuva Pongal” in all villages, along with the distribution of Pongal gift hampers to benefit the people.

Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Minister P. Geetha Jeevan inaugurated the distribution at Toovipuram ration shop.

Speaking at the event she said that, in Thoothukudi district, 5,41,007 smart card holder families would receive the Pongal gift hampers through 957 ration shops, noting that the government has allocated ₹168.32 crore for this purpose.

In Kanniyakumari district, Dairy Development Minister T. Mano Thangaraj inaugurated the distribution at Mugilanvilai ration shop.

At the event Mr. Mano Thangaraj said that the Pongal gift hampers will be distributed to a total of 5,79,667 ration card holder families and 406 Sri Lankan families living in camps at Kanniyakumari district through 581 ration shops under Kanniyakumari district cooperative department, 135 ration shops under Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department, 49 ration shops under self help groups and various other departments.

Kanniyakumari district Collector R. Alagumeena, Tamil Nadu Food Commission Chairperson N. Suresh Rajan and other officials were present.