Tamil Nadu Pongal Gift Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

• Pongal is a major festival of South India which is celebrated by Tamil People.
• Pongal a week long festival generally celebrated on 14th or 15th of January every year.
• With an objective to support people of Tamil Nadu to celebrate the Pongal Festival joyfully, the Government of Tamil Nadu extended their support by implementing a new scheme.
• The scheme announced is known as "Tamil Nadu Pongal Gift Scheme".
• However, the scheme is prominent by other names such as "Tamil Nadu Pongal Gift Hamper Distribution Scheme" or "Tamil Nadu Pongal Gift Hamper Distribution Programme" or "Tamil Nadu Pongal Thoguppu" or "Tamil Nadu Pongal Parisu Thogai".
• Tamil Nadu Government will now provide Gift Hampers and Cash Prize to people of State on the auspicious occasion of Pongal.
• Rs. 1,000/- Cash Prize will be provided to all eligible beneficiaries under Tamil Nadu Pongal Gift Scheme.
• Apart from that Cash Prize, Pongal Gift Hamper will also be provided to the beneficiaries.
• Each Pongal Gift Hamper Consists the following items : -
  • 1 Kg of Rice.
  • 1 Kg of Sugar.
  • 1 Sugarcane Stick.
  • 20 grams of Cashew.
  • 20 grams of Kismis.
  • 5 grams of Cardamom.
• Saree and Dhoti under "Tamil Nadu Saree and Dhoti Scheme" will also be provided to the beneficiaries with the Pongal Gift Hamper.
• All Rice and Sugar Card Holders and People residing in Sri Lankan Tamil Rehabilitation Camps are eligible to receive Cash Prize of Rs. 1,000/- and Pongal Gift Hamper under Pongal Gift Scheme of Tamil Nadu Government.
• Pongal Gift Hampers and Cash Prize will only be provided on the Festival of Pongal each year.
• It is to be estimated that more than 2 Crore 19 lakh families are going to benefited under Tamil Nadu Government's Pongal Gift Hamper Distribution Programme.
• Pongal Gift Hampers to beneficiaries will be distributed at Ration Shops/ Fair Price Shops.
• Eligible Beneficiaries can visit their local and nearest Fair Price Shop/ Ration Shop with their Rice/ Sugar Card and collect their Pongal Gift Hamper and Cash of Rs. 1,000/- as promised by Tamil Nadu Government under Pongal Gift Scheme.
• Fair Price Shop starts distributing token door to door to all eligible households from 3rd January 2025 which will continue till 8 January 2025.
• The distribution of gift hampers under the Tamil Nadu Pongal Gift Scheme will commence from January 9, 2025.
• Along with this, the government also announces a bonus for teachers and employees.
• A maximum bonus of Rs 3,000 will be received by Group C and D employees.
• Whereas, pensioners of Group C and D, family pensioners, former village administrative officers, and other pensioners will receive Rs 500.
• It is expected the cash amount will be transferred through DBT, else the beneficiary can collect the cash through Fair Price Shops.

Scheme Benefits

• Government of Tamil Nadu will provide the following benefits to people under Pongal Gift Scheme/ Pongal Gift Hamper Distribution Program :-

  Gift Hampers will be Provided to Beneficiaries on the Occasion of Pongal. Rs. 1,000/- Cash Prize will also Provided with the Gift Hampers. Each Pongal Gift Hamper Consists : - 1 Kg of Raw Rice. 1 Kg of Sugar. 1 Sugarcane Stick. 20 Gram Cashew Nut. 20 Gram Kismis. 5 Gram Cardamom. Saree and Dhoti. (Under Saree and Dhoti Scheme) Bonus to Teachers and Group C and D Employees.

Eligibility Requirements

• Cash Prize and Pongal Gift Hampers will only be provided to those beneficiaries who fulfil the below mentioned Eligibility Conditions of Tamil Nadu Pongal Gift Scheme : -
  • Beneficiary must be a Resident of Tamil Nadu.
  • Beneficiary must be a Rice Card or Sugar Card Holder.
  • Sri Lankan Refugees residing in Tamil Rehabilitation Camps are also Eligible.

Required Documents

• The below mentioned documents are required at the time of availing the benefit of cash prize and Pongal hampers under Tamil Nadu Pongal Gift Scheme :-
  • Aadhaar Card.
  • Rice Card or Sugar Card.
  • Mobile Number.
  • Sri Lankan Refugee Card.

Steps to Apply

• Eligible Beneficiaries doesn't need to apply separately anywhere to avail the benefits of Pongal gifts provided under the Pongal Gift Scheme of 2025.
• All Rice Card Holders and People residing in Sri Lankan Tamil Rehabilitation Camps are automatically covered to get Pongal gifts.
• Beneficiaries will have to go to Ration Shops (Fair Price Shops) to get their Pongal Gift.
• Agent Present at the Fair Price Shop will distribute the token among beneficiaries to prevent overcrowding.
• Pongal Gifts will be distributed to beneficiaries according to their token number.
• Each Pongal Gift consists of 1 Kg of Raw Rice. 1 Kg of Sugar, 1 Sugarcane Stick and a pack containing Kismis (Raisins), Cashew, Cardamom and a Cash Benefit of Rs. 1,000/- which can be used to celebrate the festival of Pongal.

Relevant Links

• Tamil Nadu Pongal Gift Scheme Guidelines.
• Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department.

Contact Information

• Tamil Nadu Pongal Gift Scheme Helpline Number : - 1967
  18004255901
  044-28592828
• TN Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department Helpline Number.