Pongal gift giving Rs. 2,357 crore has been allocated by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Thirunalam Pongal festival is going to be celebrated on January 15 next month. The Pongal Prize Program has been in operation since 2009 on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Government, with the aim of making people celebrate this festival that celebrates the culture and tradition of Tamils.
Initially, ration card holders were given half a kilo of sweet rice, jaggery, 20 grams of dal, cashews and grapes as Pongal gifts. Since then the project has continued to expand. During the Pongal festival before the assembly elections in 2021, the Tamil Nadu government presented a regular gift package of Rs. 2,500 in cash was given.
Following this, the Tamil Nadu government did not provide cash for the Pongal festival last year. Instead of cash, during the Pongal festival last year, the Tamil Nadu government gave a gift package containing 21 items. There have been various criticisms regarding the quality of the products offered in this package.
In this situation, in order to celebrate the Pongal festival of Tamil Thirunalam in the year 2023, in the consultation meeting held at the Chief Secretariat in Chennai under the leadership of Chief Minister M.K.Stal, it was said that for this year’s Pongal festival, ration rice card holders will be given Rs. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has ordered. This will benefit 2.19 crore family cardholders.
In this case, to give Pongal gifts Rs. 2,357 crore has been allocated by the Tamil Nadu government. For family cardholders, one kg of tamarind and sugar along with Rs. 1,000 in cash has been issued. Chief Minister M.K.Stalin will inaugurate the Pongal prize distribution event on the 2nd (Monday) in Chennai.