In Tamil Nadu, a total of 4,20,091 ration cards are registered at the district level, and the government has announced that only those who purchase rice from these cards will receive the Pongal gift package. A total of 4,17,664 ration cardholders in the district will be eligible for the gift packages, which include sugarcane, one kilogram of sugar, and raw rice. The distribution process will begin today, with tokens being issued at the designated ration shops between January 3 and January 8. From January 9 onward, ration cardholders can pick up their Pongal gift packages from these stores based on the token number in sequence. All distributions are expected to be completed by January 13.
In the effort to provide sugarcane to the cardholders, the agricultural and cooperative departments are actively assessing the quality and size of sugarcane grown by local farmers. The harvesting of sugarcane will begin on January 7, and it will be dispatched to the ration stores for distribution. Additionally, the details of farmers wishing to supply sugarcane to the ration shops through their respective cooperative societies are being collected.
For the required quantity of sugarcane, the district plans to source any shortages from the Madurai district, particularly from the Melur region. Meanwhile, the Consumer Goods Trade Corporation regional manager, Arun Prasath, is coordinating the supply of adequate quantities of rice and sugar to the ration shops, with the necessary arrangements being made by the cooperative joint registrar Rajendra Prasad and the deputy registrar (public distribution) Babu.
These comprehensive efforts ensure that the Pongal gift distribution process runs smoothly, with careful monitoring of each step, including sourcing and transporting the necessary commodities to ration shops for timely delivery to eligible cardholders.
