7 months ago
CM Stalin to Inaugurate Pongal Gift Distribution in Chennai
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin, will start giving out Pongal gift packages and cash money to people who have rice ration cards.
This is a tradition before the Pongal festival, which is a big celebration in Tamil Nadu.
The government will give each person Rs 3,000 in cash and a package with rice, sugar, and sugarcane.
They will also give out clothes like dhotis and sarees.
This year, the government decided to give cash again after not giving any last year.
The gifts will be given out in special shops called fair price shops.
The government has set aside Rs 248 crore for this.
Many people are happy because they were waiting to see if there would be cash this year.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin will inaugurate the Pongal gift distribution at a fair price shop in Alandur, Chennai.
The government will provide Rs 3,000 cash and a gift package including 1 kg raw rice, 1 kg sugar, and 1 full sugarcane to rice ration card holders.
The scheme benefits 2,22,91,710 ration card holders and eligible camp residents across the State.
The government has allocated Rs 248 crore for the 2026 Pongal gift package.
Dhotis and sarees for Pongal distribution have already been dispatched to all districts.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and rice ration card holders
- What
- Inauguration of Pongal gift distribution and cash assistance
- Where
- Alandur, Chennai
- When
- Thursday (specific date not mentioned)
- Why
- To mark the start of the State's annual festive assistance ahead of the Pongal harvest festival
Key facts
- Inauguration Location
- Alandur, Chennai
- Cash Assistance
- Rs 3,000 per rice ration card holder
- Gift Package Contents
- 1 kg raw rice, 1 kg sugar, 1 full sugarcane
- Beneficiaries
- 2,22,91,710 ration card holders and eligible camp residents
- Festival
- Pongal
- Government Allocation
- Rs 248 crore for 2026 Pongal gift package
- Additional Items
- Dhotis and sarees for Pongal distribution
- Previous Cash Gifts
- Rs 2,500 (2021), Rs 1,000 (2022-2024), None (2025)
