NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, JAN 3
The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday has set aside Rs 238.92 crore for the Pongal gift hamper to be provided to the rice card holders in the state as well as those residing in Sri Lankan Tamils rehabilitation camps.
The gift hamper includes one kilogram of rice, one kilogram of sugar and one full sugarcane.
However, the government has not announced any cash dole to the card holders unlike last year, raising criticism from Opposition parties.
As per the order, the government has set aside Rs 238.92 crore for the initiative.
In the order issued by the Cooperation, Food and Consumer Protection department, as of October 31, 2023, there are about 2.19 crore rice card holders in the state.
