Pongal gift distribution in Tirunelveli district will begin on January 9, as announced by Collector K.P. Kartthikeyan. Beneficiaries, including 7.44 lakh rice cardholders and 1,379 Sri Lankan Tamil families, will receive hampers with 1 kg raw rice, 1 kg jaggery, and a sugarcane, along with free dhotis and saris. Tokens are being delivered door-to-door from January 3-8 to ensure smooth distribution and avoid crowding at ration shops. Each shop will serve 100 cardholders in the morning and 100 in the afternoon on the first day, increasing thereafter. Control rooms are set up for complaints at 93424 71314 or 1800 425 5901. The initiative will run until January 13 under the supervision of tahsildars and senior officials.
What is Pongal 2025
Pongal is Tamil Nadu’s biggest and most loved festival, celebrated with great joy and excitement. Streets are beautifully decorated with colorful flags, and temples hold special prayers and ceremonies. It is a four-day harvest festival that marks the start of spring and the sun’s journey northward. Tamils in India and worldwide come together to celebrate this occasion. Pongal 2024 was observed from January 15 to 18, and people eagerly prepared for the festival. The celebration is filled with cultural events, traditional practices, and lots of happiness, as it also marks the end of the winter season. Residents of Tamil Nadu are now looking forward to Pongal 2025 with the same enthusiasm.
Purpose of Pongal Gift
- Celebrate the Pongal festival and share happiness with families.
- Support rice cardholders and Sri Lankan Tamil families with essential items.
- Provide traditional festival items like raw rice, jaggery, and sugarcane for Pongal celebrations.
- Ensure no eligible family is left out of the festive joy.
- Help reduce the financial burden on families during the festival.
- Strengthen community bonds and government outreach through thoughtful initiatives.
- Promote cultural values by including dhotis and saris as part of the gifts.
Short Summary of Pongal Gift in Ration Shop 2025
| Name of Scheme | Pongal Gift Scheme |
| Start Date | January 9, 2025 |
| Cash Gift | Rs. 1000 |
| Beneficiaries | Rice cardholders and Sri Lankan Tamil families in Tamil Nadu |
| Items Provided | 1 kg raw rice, 1 kg jaggery, sugarcane, free dhoti, and sari |
| Token Distribution | Door-to-door from January 3 to January 8 |
| Daily Distribution | 100 cardholders in the morning and 100 in the afternoon (initially) |
| Supervision | Monitored by tahsildars and senior district officials |
| Complaint Helpline | 93424 71314 or 1800 425 5901 |
| Official Website | https://tnpds.gov.in/ |
List of Essential items and Cash Amount
Here is the list of items which will be provided as Pongal gifts;
- Rice
- Sugar
- Jaggery
- Pepper
- Tamarind
- Ghee
- Cardamom
- Urad dal
- Moong dal
- Rava
- Turmeric
- Flour
- Chilli powder
- Cashew nuts
- Dry grapes
- Jeera powder
- Coriander powder
- Salt
- Mustard
- Oil
- One cloth bag
- Rs. 1,000 in cash
Budget Allocation for Pongal Gift 2025
- Total budget allocated by the government for Pongal Gift 2025.
- Cost of essential items in the gift hampers, including rice, jaggery, sugar, spices, and pulses.
- Expenses for clothing items like dhotis and saris provided to beneficiaries.
- Rs. 1,000 cash allocation per beneficiary included in the budget.
- Logistics and transportation costs for delivering items to ration shops.
- Printing and distribution of tokens for cardholders.
- Administrative costs for monitoring and ensuring smooth distribution.
- Setting up and managing control rooms for addressing complaints.
- Expenses for packaging materials like cloth bags.
- Contingency funds for unforeseen issues during distribution.
Important Dates
- January 3 to 8, 2025: Token distribution to rice cardholders.
- January 9, 2025: Distribution of Pongal gifts begins at ration shops.
- January 13, 2025: Last day of Pongal gift distribution.
Benefits of Pongal Gift
- Helps families celebrate the Pongal festival with essential items.
- Reduces financial burden by providing free food and clothing.
- Ensures that everyone, especially rice cardholders, receives support during the festival.
- Promotes equality by giving gifts to low-income families.
- Strengthens community spirit and fosters goodwill.
- Makes it easier for people to participate in traditional celebrations.
- Supports families by providing items that are important for the festival.
- Enhances the sense of togetherness and happiness during the holiday season.
Number of Beneficiaries
- 7.44 lakh rice cardholders in Tamil Nadu.
- 1,379 Sri Lankan Tamil families.
- Eligible families include those with ration cards in the state.
- Each rice cardholder and family will receive the Pongal gift hamper.
Salient Features
- Free distribution of essential items like rice, sugar, jaggery, and spices.
- Includes traditional festival items like dhotis, saris, and Rs. 1,000 in cash.
- Tokens are distributed to cardholders to avoid crowding at ration shops.
- The distribution starts from January 9, 2025, and continues until January 13, 2025.
- Distribution is monitored by senior district officials to ensure smooth operations.
- Beneficiaries are informed of their collection time and date through the tokens.
- Ration shops will serve cardholders in the morning and afternoon in batches.
- Control rooms are set up to handle complaints and queries.
How to Get Rs 1000 Cash and 21 Essential items Under Pongal Gift 2025?
Step 1. Ensure you are eligible as a rice cardholder or a Sri Lankan Tamil family in Tamil Nadu.
Step 2. Wait for the door-to-door token distribution between January 3 and 8, 2025.
Step 3. Receive your token, which will include the date and time for collecting your gift.
Step 4. Go to the assigned ration shop with your ration card at the specified time.
Step 5. Collect the gift hamper, which includes 21 essential items like rice, sugar, jaggery, and Rs. 1,000 in cash.
Step 6. After receiving the items, a confirmation message will be sent to your mobile linked to the ration card.
FAQs
Who is eligible for the Pongal gift?
Rice cardholders and Sri Lankan Tamil families in Tamil Nadu are eligible for the Pongal gift.
What items are included in the gift?
The gift includes 21 essential items like rice, sugar, jaggery, spices, and Rs. 1,000 in cash.
How do I get the Pongal gift?
Tokens will be distributed door-to-door from January 3 to 8, 2025. You need to visit your assigned ration shop on the given date and time with your ration card to collect the gift.
When will the distribution start?
The distribution of the Pongal gift will start on January 9, 2025, and end on January 13, 2025.
What if I miss the token distribution?
You may contact the ration shop or the district administration for assistance regarding missed tokens.
Can someone else collect the gift on my behalf?
Yes, any family member can collect the gift if they have the ration card.
What is the helpline number for complaints?
You can contact 93424 71314 or 1800 425 5901 for any complaints or issues.
What happens after I collect the gift?
Once you collect the gift, a confirmation message will be sent to your mobile number linked to the ration card.