Chennai, Jan 18 (NationPress) The government of Tamil Nadu has successfully provided Pongal gifts to a significant number of eligible households this year, with official statistics indicating that 2.15 crore rice ration cardholders—approximately 97% of the total 2.22 crore eligible families—have received the benefit.

Roughly 7.6 lakh cardholders across the state have yet to claim their Pongal package, primarily because many beneficiaries are traveling away from their homes during the festive season.

In a statement, Minister for Cooperation K.R. Periyakaruppan mentioned that Rs 6453.54 crore has been distributed thus far from the Rs 6687.51 crore allocated specifically for cash distribution under the initiative.

The Minister commended the execution of the program, stating that the swift movement of such a large sum of cash was made possible thanks to thorough planning by officials and the committed efforts of the Public Distribution System (PDS) employees.

The Pongal gift scheme, initiated on January 8, offers Rs 3000 in cash, in addition to one kg of raw rice, sugar, and a sugarcane.

This benefit is available to all rice ration cardholders, including families residing in Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation camps.

In total, the state government has allocated Rs 6936.18 crore for implementing this scheme this year, with cash distributions being carried out through fair price shops managed by the Cooperation Department.

District-wise data shows differences in coverage. South Chennai has the highest number of pending beneficiaries, with nearly 59000 of the 10.59 lakh eligible cardholders still awaiting their gifts, reflecting about 94% coverage.

Other districts with notable pending numbers include Madurai (44000), Tirunelveli (32000), and Theni (22000).

Conversely, districts such as Dharmapuri, Tirupattur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, and Pudukkottai have achieved nearly 98% distribution, with fewer than 10000 cardholders in each district yet to claim their benefits.

A senior official from the Cooperation Department reported that over Rs 6500 crore in cash was managed at ration shops within just one week. Funds were transferred from central cooperative banks to local societies under the supervision of district Collectors and Joint Registrars and transported to fair price shops with armed police protection.

Each ration shop typically serves 900–1100 cardholders, handling Rs 27–32 lakh per shop, with a daily transaction rate of Rs 6–7 lakh.

The government plans to resume distribution once beneficiaries return to their hometowns, with an official announcement anticipated in the coming days.