Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, on Thursday (January 8, 2026), launched the distribution of Pongal gift hampers to eligible rice ration card holders and Sri Lankan Tamils living in camps across the State, during an event at a fair price shop at Butt Road in Alandur, Chennai.
The Pongal gift hamper includes one kilogram of raw rice, one kilogram of sugar and one full sugarcane along with ₹3,000 in cash.
This gift hamper will be distributed to 2,22,91,710 rice ration card holders and Sri Lankan Tamil families residing in rehabilitation camps. As part of the free dhoti and sari distribution scheme, over 1,77,64,000 saris and 1,77,22,000 dhotis are set to be distributed through ration shops.
Tokens specifying date and time to receive the Pongal gift hampers have been issued to eligible rice ration card holders. These gift hampers will be distributed over five days from Thursday until January 12.
State Minister for Cooperation K.R. Periakaruppan, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises T.M. Anbarasan, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies R. Sakkarapani, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma. Subramanian, MPs T.R. Baalu, Thamizhachi Thangapandian and senior government officials were among others present.
