The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu announced a cash gift of Rs 2500 and the Pongal gift bag would be distributed through the fair price shops from January 4, 2021 onwards. On Saturday, Chief Minister Edapadi K Palaniswami announced Pongal bonanza to all the 2.6 crore rice ration cardholders in the state to celebrate the harvest festival. 

Pongal is celebrated across Tamil Nadu with much joy in January to usher in the auspicious Tamil month ''Thai'' when marriages are conducted and new business ventures initiated. The cash, as well as the Pongal gift bag, would be distributed through the fair price shops from January 4, 2021 onwards, the Chief Minister said while speaking at Irupali in the district. Last year, the government has given Rs 1,000 and a gift hamper containing ingredients used in making sweet Pongal.

Before distributing the goodies at fair price shops, the government would issue tokens to beneficiaries at their doorstep, specifying the date and time for obtaining the gift hampers. Palaniswami said, "The rice ration cardholders will be provided one kg each of raw rice and sugar, 20 grams of cashew and raisins, 8 gms of cardamom besides a sugarcane. These will be neatly wrapped in a cloth bag". He added this time the government would give away a whole sugarcane not just a piece as was the practice in the past. 

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