In view of the Pongal Festival-2013, the Tamilnadu Government has inaugurated a Special Pongal Gift Package Scheme to 1.84 Crores of Lower Income Group-Ration Card Holders with Green Ration Cards, who are eligible for getting “RICE” with their ration cards.
The “Special-Pongal Gift Package”is in addition to freee dhotis/sarees supplied every year to the above ration card holders.
The “Special- Pongal Gift Package”-2013 will consist the following items:
- Rice-1 kg (costing Rs 20/-)
- Sugar-1 kg (costing Rs 40/-) and
- Cash- Rs 100/
The cost the “Special -Pongal Gift package-2013” is around Rs 160/- and the total cost of the scheme will be Rs 294.4 Crores (around Rs 300 Crores).
According to the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, Dr. Selvi. J.Jayalalithaa, though this Pongal Gift Package would not redress the grievances of the Tamilnadu farmers, it would help the farmers to celebrate the Pongal festival in the traditional way.