On 21st December, (Tuesday), Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy said the government has started preparations to distribute Pongal presents instead of remitting money to beneficiaries' accounts.
The Chief Minister, while speaking to media after offering rain relief to persons with red ration cards at the Legislative Assembly, said that the administration prefers to give out Sarees & Dhotis as gifts rather than money. The Chief Minister stated, "We are taking steps to revive the scheme."
Relief from Rain
The government had begun the process of distributing Rs 5,000 each to Red Ration Cardholders as compensation for the damage caused by recent rain. In November, the government issued a Rs 5,000 compensation for anyone who was harmed by the rain. Rain relief was also approved by the administration, with each Yellow Ration Cardholder receiving Rs 4,500.
"In the next days, the funds for both sorts of ration card users will be deposited into the recipients' accounts. Except for government employees, around 3.27 lakh cardholders will benefit from the government's gesture. "The government would spend 156 crores," he stated.
Govt. Approval for New Year Celebration on Beach
New Year's Eve celebrations on Beach Road have been approved by the government. While celebrating, he urged the people to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. K. Lakshminarayanan, Minister of Public Works, and Chandira Priyanga, Minister of Transport, were also present.
Rs.1000: Head of Family
According to reports, the Tamil Nadu government plans to give the family's head a monthly Pongal gift of Rs. 1,000. However, there has been no official announcement concerning this.
Before the upcoming Thai Pongal 2022, Chief Minister MK Stalin authorized the distribution of the following 20 gift items to ration cards and families living in Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation camps.
The date for the Pongal gift distribution has been announced. The Government of Tamil Nadu has declared that the Pongal reward would be awarded starting January 3, 2022.
