People have begun lining up outside local area ration shops to collect the Pongal special package that the state has arranged for the festival.
The offer is available only to what is commonly called the ‘rice’ card holders – the economically weak sections.
Besides cash of Rs.2500, each family gets a bag of rice, sugar, and little packs of dry grapes, cashew and elakkai and a sugarcane too.
At some ration shops where the card holders are many, police personnel have been posted to ensure there is order.
