CHENNAI: Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday launched the AIADMK’s poll campaign in his home turf Edappadi in Salem district with Rs 2,500 Pongal cash gift for people.
Announcing the government’s decision at a state event soon after formally launching his campaign, the CM said Pongal gift hampers for 2.06 crore rice cardholders will be given, starting January 4, 2021, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Fee dhotis and sarees would also be distributed to beneficiaries along with cash and the kit, he said.
“PDS staff will distribute tokens to cardholders at their doorsteps, and beneficiaries can collect gift hamper and cash on scheduled dates from PDS outlets,” the CM said. Each gift hamper will have one kg of raw rice, one kg sugar, a piece of sugarcane, 20gm of cashew, 20gm of dry grapes and 5gm of cardamom. Last year, Rs 1,000 was given as Pongal gift.
Earlier in the day, addressing huge crowds that thronged his convoy, the CM said, “Edappadi constituency is AIADMK’s fort. The DMK has not been able to win the seat for 43 years.”