Puducherry govt announces ₹3,000 Pongal gift for PDS families

The Puducherry government on Tuesday announced a ₹3,000 Pongal gift for each of the 3.47 lakh families covered under the Public Distribution System (PDS) , providing festival-time relief to ration cardholders.

According to an official release, Chief Minister N Rangasamy has directed the Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs to credit the cash assistance directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism with immediate effect.

The cash assistance will be provided in addition to a free Pongal commodity package worth ₹750 , which is being distributed through ration shops across the Union Territory.

Each Pongal kit comprises 4 kg of rice, 1 kg of naatu sakkarai (traditional jaggery), 1 kg of moong dal, one litre of sunflower oil, 300 grams of ghee and a carry bag, the release said.

A senior official of the Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs said Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan has approved the disbursal of the ₹3,000 Pongal gift .

Similar festival assistance measures are announced by several other states during Pongal and Makar Sankranti. Tamil Nadu traditionally provides free Pongal gift hampers to ration cardholders, while Andhra Pradesh and Telangana announce festival-time cash transfers or bonuses for eligible beneficiaries. Other states also extend welfare benefits through special ration distribution or cash aid during major festivals.

The Puducherry government’s move aims to provide financial support and essential commodities to low- and middle-income households during the harvest festival.