Coimbatore: Hundreds of rice cardholders from various areas in Coimbatore received their Pongal gift hamper announced by the Tamil Nadu State Governement in November. The gift hamper contains Rs. 1,000 cash, 1 kg of raw rice, sugar, sugarcane, 20 gm of cashew nut and raisins, and 5 gm of cardamom.
Coimbatore: Hundreds of rice cardholders from various areas in Coimbatore received their Pongal gift hamper announced by the Tamil Nadu State Governement in November. The gift hamper contains Rs. 1,000 cash, 1 kg of raw rice, sugar, sugarcane, 20 gm of cashew nut and raisins, and 5 gm of cardamom.
Minister SP Velumani in the presence of District Collector, K. Rajamani and legislators inaugurated the scheme today at Light house road here and distributed the gift hampers to cardholders.
Addessing tbe public, the Minister said that the State has allocated Rs 2,363.13 crore for the scheme. "A total of Rs.129.96 crore has been allotted for Coimbatore district for Pongal gift hampers which includes cash, free rice, sarees and dhotis, Out of which, Rs.14.29 crore worth of pongal gift hampers will be distributed to 9,70,689 family cardholders. And, Rs.97.06 crores has been allocated for distributing Rs.1000 per cardholder", he said.
Accordingly, in the district, under the free saree and dhoti program, 6,88,923 beneficiaries were provided with free sarees and 6,84,468 beneficiaries with free dhotis, a budget of Rs.18.62 crore has been allocated for the same, the Minister noted.
The Minsiter informed that the distribution will take place till January 13 and all facilities have been made on behalf of the district administration to enable the public to buy without hassle.
Wishing the people a prosperous Pongal, the Minister asked the public to make use of the gift hamper scheme and celebrate the festival with fervour.
Later, he took part in distribution events held at Lawley road, Rangasamy colony in Shanmugarajapuram, Pudur in Telungupalayam, Perur, Kurumbapalayam, Thaliyur, Thondamuthur, Boluvampatti, Alandurai, Kovai, Kuniyamuthur, Ramachettipalayam and Sundakamuthur.
District Revenue Officer Ramadurai Murugan, Corporation Deputy Commissioner Prasanna Ramasamy, Co-operative Societies Registrar Palanisamy, Revenue Divisional Officer (Southern) Thangalingam and many other officials were present.
Minister SP Velumani in the presence of District Collector, K. Rajamani and legislators inaugurated the scheme today at Light house road here and distributed the gift hampers to cardholders.
Addessing tbe public, the Minister said that the State has allocated Rs 2,363.13 crore for the scheme. "A total of Rs.129.96 crore has been allotted for Coimbatore district for Pongal gift hampers which includes cash, free rice, sarees and dhotis, Out of which, Rs.14.29 crore worth of pongal gift hampers will be distributed to 9,70,689 family cardholders. And, Rs.97.06 crores has been allocated for distributing Rs.1000 per cardholder", he said.
Accordingly, in the district, under the free saree and dhoti program, 6,88,923 beneficiaries were provided with free sarees and 6,84,468 beneficiaries with free dhotis, a budget of Rs.18.62 crore has been allocated for the same, the Minister noted.
The Minsiter informed that the distribution will take place till January 13 and all facilities have been made on behalf of the district administration to enable the public to buy without hassle.
Wishing the people a prosperous Pongal, the Minister asked the public to make use of the gift hamper scheme and celebrate the festival with fervour.
Later, he took part in distribution events held at Lawley road, Rangasamy colony in Shanmugarajapuram, Pudur in Telungupalayam, Perur, Kurumbapalayam, Thaliyur, Thondamuthur, Boluvampatti, Alandurai, Kovai, Kuniyamuthur, Ramachettipalayam and Sundakamuthur.
District Revenue Officer Ramadurai Murugan, Corporation Deputy Commissioner Prasanna Ramasamy, Co-operative Societies Registrar Palanisamy, Revenue Divisional Officer (Southern) Thangalingam and many other officials were present.