Madurai begins distribution of Pongal gift hampers to 9.46 lakh ration cardholders, including cash and essentials, ahead of the festival
Pongal Gift Hampers Distribution Begins in Madurai District
Distribution of Pongal gift hampers started in Madurai district on Thursday. Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration P. Moorthy formally inaugurated the event. He distributed the hampers to cardholders at various fair price shops in the district.
The Minister launched the scheme with Madurai Collector K.J. Praveen Kumar, Sholavandan MLA A. Venkatesan, Deputy Mayor T. Nagarajan, District Revenue Officer K. Anbalagan, and other officials present.
Mr. Moorthy stated that the State government announced the gift hamper for 2026 to help people celebrate the festival grandly. The Pongal gift hampers include one kg of raw rice, one kg of sugar, one sugarcane, a dhoti, a saree, and ₹3000 in cash.
As announced, the Pongal gift hampers will be given to rice ration cardholders and families in Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation camps, he added.
In Madurai district, the hampers will be distributed to 9.46 lakh rice ration cardholders. All arrangements are in place to distribute the hampers through fair price shops before the festival. To avoid overcrowding, tokens will be issued to people.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Madurai District |
| Inauguration Date | Thursday |
| Minister | P. Moorthy |
| Gift Hamper Contents | 1 kg raw rice, 1 kg sugar, 1 sugarcane, dhoti, saree, ₹3000 cash |
| Beneficiaries | 9.46 lakh rice ration cardholders |
| Distribution Method | Fair price shops |
