Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin personally initiated the distribution of a special Pongal cash gift of ₹3,000 to rice ration card holders on Thursday, marking the start of a statewide welfare drive ahead of the harvest festival.
Festival Hamper Includes Essentials and Traditional Items
The financial assistance is part of a larger Pongal gift hamper being distributed through fair price shops across the state. Along with the cash, each beneficiary family will receive 1kg of raw rice, 1kg of sugar, a full-length sugarcane stalk, a dhoti, and a saree. The initiative aims to ensure a celebratory and comfortable festival for millions of households.
CM Stalin launched the scheme at a ration shop in Alandur, Chennai. Later, expressing his wishes on social media platform X, he stated that this gesture would ensure a "happy Pongal" for families. The distribution network involves the state's extensive network of fair price shops to reach every eligible recipient.
Wide Reach and Timely Distribution Before Pongal
The government has stated that the scheme will benefit a massive 2.23 crore (22.3 million) families who hold rice ration cards. Additionally, families of Sri Lankan Tamils living in rehabilitation camps are also included in the beneficiary list. The administration has committed to completing the entire distribution process a day before Pongal, which is on January 14.
The distribution drive saw participation from other senior leaders as well. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin distributed hampers at ration shops in his Chepauk-Triplicane constituency. Meanwhile, other state ministers and MLAs began similar distribution exercises in their respective areas, ensuring a coordinated rollout.
Political Context and Opposition Criticism
The revival and enhancement of the Pongal gift has sparked political debate. The DMK government had previously provided a ₹1,000 Pongal gift but suspended the practice in 2025, citing financial constraints. With the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approaching, the government has not only resumed the practice but also significantly increased the amount to ₹3,000.
This move has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who allege the scheme is politically motivated. In a specific incident, BJP functionaries in V Marudhur village, Villupuram district, staged a protest against the distribution. They claimed the welfare measure was strategically timed to influence voters ahead of the upcoming state election.
The state government's decision to allocate substantial resources for the festival gift highlights its focus on welfare politics, even as it navigates fiscal challenges and prepares for a crucial electoral battle next year.
