Chief Minister announces Pongal cash gift of Rs 1,000

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has announced Rs 1,000 cash incentive to people on the occasion of the harvest festival Pongal, the state government said on Friday.

He used the occasion to hit out at the Centre seeking to know what it has done for the people of Tamil Nadu.

Pongal will be celebrated across the state on January 15.

An official release, quoting the chief minister, said Rs 1,000 cash will be distributed through fair price shops ahead of the festival to all ration cardholders as “Pongal gift,” except for Central and state government employees, Income Tax payers, those employed in public sector undertakings, sugar ration cardholders and those holding ration cards without any commodities.