Nainar Nagenthran slams DMK govt. over delay in procurement of sugarcane, raw rice for Pongal gift hamper

Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran on Friday (January 2, 2025) slammed the DMK government for the alleged delay in procuring raw rice and sugarcane from farmers for distribution to ration card holders as part of the Pongal gift hamper.

In a post on X, Mr. Nagenthran said that with just 13 days left for the Pongal festival, the DMK government had only now issued a government order allocating ₹248 crore for the Pongal gift hamper.

“At a time when the public has been expecting ₹5,000 in cash as a Pongal gift, and farmers have been hoping for the procurement of turmeric and jaggery for inclusion in the gift hamper, the DMK government has allocated only a paltry sum. This has shattered the expectations of farmers and the people,” Mr. Nagenthran said.

The BJP leader also alleged delays in the procurement of sugarcane, raw rice, and sugar from farmers for distribution as part of the Pongal gift hamper. “Is the State government planning to make hurried, last-minute purchases merely as an eyewash to deceive farmers and the public?” he questioned.