Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Tuesday announced Rs 1,000 cash and Pongal gift bag for ration cardholders in the State.
“This effort will mitigate the sufferings of farmers and others, after the State’s widespread drought last year,” Mr. Palaniswami said and added that the gift hamper would each contain 1 kg raw rice and sugar, raisins, cardamom and sugarcane. These ingredients are used to prepare the sweet dish – Pongal.
“We are implementing what we have announced and we will go by the welfare of the people,” he emphasised while formally inaugurating Kallakurichi the 34th district of TN in neighbouring Villupuram district.
Last year Tamil Nadu had experienced widespread drought, and hence in an effort aimed at mitigating the sufferings of farmers and other sections, the government has announced `1,000 for each ration card. Though the State has received copious rains this year, the farmers had spent the money available with them to purchase agricultural implements and many poor families were suffering due to financial constraints.
The Government wanted the people to enjoy the harvest festival of Pongal (mid-January) and has accordingly decided to make the Pongal gift hampers available for rice cardholders this year too, he said.
The State government, he said has launched several welfare initiatives taking into account the economic conditions of the farmers and even women to help them start poultry and enhance their income. “As part of this initiative the government has been distributing 20 country chicken to each woman. So far about 2.40 lakh rural women have beneiftted through this scheme,” Mr. Palaniswami said.
