Udhagamandalam: Nilgiris collector J Innocent Divya inaugurated the distribution of Pongal gift hampers at the Ooty Cooperative Store - market branch on Monday.
Of the 2,17,794 ration cardholders in the district, 2,15,601 rice cardholders are eligible for the gift.
The district has been allotted 216 tonnes rice, 216 tonnes sugar, 4,312kg cashew nut and raisins and Rs 1.62 crore for distribution. Also, 2,03,914 women will get saris, while 2,02,877 dhotis will be distributed to men, said the collector.
As many as 5,000 sugar cardholders had switched to rice cards in the district. “Tokens mentioning the date and time of distribution of the gift hampers were distributed to the eligible cardholders. The distribution takes place between January 4 and 12,” said the collector.
The cardholders have been requested by the district administration to approach designated PDS shops with the token and avail the gift.
There are 402 PDS shops in the district, which will distribute the gift hampers to at least 200 cardholders per day.