97 pc of TN ration card holders receive Pongal gifts

Chennai, Jan 18 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu government has successfully delivered the Pongal gift to a vast majority of eligible households this year, with official data showing that 2.15 crore rice ration cardholders -- about 97 per cent of the total 2.22 crore eligible families -- have already received the benefit.

Around 7.6 lakh cardholders across the state are yet to collect the Pongal package, largely due to beneficiaries travelling out of their home locations during the festival period.

In a statement, Minister for Cooperation K.R. Periyakaruppan said that Rs 6453.54 crore has been disbursed so far from the Rs 6687.51 crore earmarked specifically for cash distribution under the scheme.

Praising the execution, the Minister said the rapid movement of such a large volume of cash was possible due to meticulous planning by officials and the dedicated efforts of employees of the Public Distribution System (PDS).

The Pongal gift scheme, launched on January 8, provides Rs 3000 in cash, along with one kg of raw rice, sugar, and a sugarcane.

The benefit is extended to all rice ration cardholders, including families residing in Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation camps.

Overall, the state government has sanctioned Rs 6936.18 crore for implementing the scheme this year, with distribution carried out in cash through fair price shops by the Cooperation Department.

District-wise data reveal variations in coverage. South Chennai recorded the highest number of pending beneficiaries, with nearly 59000 of the 10.59 lakh eligible cardholders yet to receive the gift, translating to about 94 per cent coverage.

Other districts with significant pending numbers include Madurai (44000), Tirunelveli (32000), and Theni (22000).

In contrast, districts such as Dharmapuri, Tirupattur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, and Pudukkottai have achieved close to 98 per cent distribution, with fewer than 10000 cardholders in each district still to collect the benefit.

A senior Cooperation Department official said that over Rs 6500 crore in cash was handled at ration shops within a single week. Funds were transferred from central cooperative banks to local societies under the supervision of district Collectors and Joint Registrars, and transported to fair price shops with armed police protection.

Each ration shop typically caters to 900–1100 cardholders, handling Rs 27–32 lakh per shop, at a daily rate of Rs 6–7 lakh.

The government has now decided to resume distribution once beneficiaries return to their hometowns, with an official announcement expected in the coming days.