TN to roll out Pongal gifts this week

The government of Tamil Nadu will begin distribution of its Pongal gift package to the people of the state from Friday. 

The harvest festival, one of the biggest in the state, is celebrated in January every year. 

Reports say Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami will roll out the programme at the state secretariat on November 29.

Anyone who holds the state-issued family card - better known as - ration card, which allows them to buy rice and other essential food grains at subsidized price, qualify for the gifts. 

The gift package includes 1000 rupees in cash and ingredients to prepare pongal, a traditional dish, which is cooked in various flavours to celebrate the festival.