The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has unveiled a generous Pongal gift package for 2026, featuring a direct cash assistance of Rs 3,000 to every eligible rice ration cardholder, including those families residing in Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation camps across the state. This announcement, made on January 4, 2026, represents the most substantial cash component ever provided under the longstanding Pongal assistance scheme, aimed at supporting households during the harvest festival celebrations.

The scheme encompasses approximately 2.23 crore rice family ration cardholders statewide, alongside nearly 19,000 families in rehabilitation camps dedicated to displaced Sri Lankan Tamils, ensuring broad coverage for vulnerable sections of society. However, around 3.8 lakh holders of sugar-only cards or no-commodity cards have been excluded from the cash benefit, allowing the government to prioritize resources toward families dependent on essential rice supplies through the public distribution system.

Complementing the cash payout, all eligible beneficiaries will receive a comprehensive Pongal hamper that includes one kilogram of raw rice, one kilogram of sugar, and a full sugarcane, preserving traditional elements of the festival. Furthermore, 1.76 crore ration cardholders qualify for additional distribution of free dhotis and sarees, enhancing the cultural significance of the occasion and providing practical support for festive attire among lower-income households.

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Implementation of the initiative involves a massive budgetary allocation of Rs 6,936.18 crore from the state treasury, with physical distribution of cash handled directly by employees at fair price shops rather than through digital transfers. This approach stems from challenges identified in a review conducted two years prior, which revealed that a considerable number of ration cards remain unlinked to active bank accounts, necessitating continued manual disbursement until full digital integration is achieved.

The tradition of Pongal assistance traces back to 1990 under then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who initially provided Rs 100 to pensioners, later increased to Rs 150 in 1998. The practice expanded significantly in January 2014 under Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, introducing cash alongside groceries starting at Rs 100, which progressed to Rs 1,000 in 2019 and peaked at Rs 2,500 in 2021 under the AIADMK regime ahead of assembly elections. With interruptions only in select years, the scheme has consistently evolved, reflecting its importance as a key welfare measure during the auspicious Pongal season.

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