Chennai: Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Wednesday announced Pongal gift packs to 1.91 crore ration card holders in the State. The initiative would cost the government Rs 318 crore. In statement, she said the pack would comprise one kg each rice and sugar, two pieces of sugarcane two feet in length and Rs 100.
The gift pack will be distributed through PDS shops ahead of the harvest festival, which falls on January 15, she said adding the initiative would cost the government Rs 318 crore. Police card owners and Sri Lankan Tamil families living in camps would also be provided with a Pongal gift pack. Over 1.91 crore families will benefit from the initiative and help the poor people celebrate the Pongal festival with pomp and fervour, she added.
Banks and ATMs were crowded for the second consecutive day with flood-hit victims. Government revenue officials estimated that, on Wednesday alone, more than 2.5 lakh beneficiaries withdrew the deposited cash.
Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.
