Date:02/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/02/stories/2009010253070300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Over 17 lakh persons to get free ‘pongal’ package

Special Correspondent

VILLUPURAM: Over 17.36 lakh ration card-holders in Villupuram and Cuddalore districts will get a free package of ingredients for pongal.

While 9,26,726 families will be entitled to the package in Villupuram district, 7,09,479 families will be eligible in Cuddalore district.

Launching the scheme here on Thursday, Collector R. Palaniamy said that the ingredients would cost Rs. 3 crore. Another Rs. 7 crore had been spent for procuring 8,70,103 pairs of dhotis and sarees meant for free distribution.

Mr. Palanisamy said that as the package would be distributed through fair price shops till January 14, the card-holders need not crowd the shops.

Those fair shops having 100 ration cards attached to it would give the package at the rate of 25 a day, and those having 500 cards, 75 a day, and those having over 500 cards, 100 a day.

Cuddalore

In Cuddalore, Collector Rajendra Ratnoo inaugurated the scheme at Saravanabava Cooperative Stores.