In a sweet announcement ahead of Pongal, Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit today announced that the government will give Pongal gift hampers to all ration card holders along with Rs 1,000 as cash support in all districts except Tiruvarur, were election code of conduct is in effect due to by-election.
An announcement in this regard was made by him during his customary address to the State Assembly, during the commencement of the first session of the year. According to the governor, the gift hamper will be packed with raw rice, sugar, raisins, cashew nuts, cardamom and sugarcane to enable people to celebrate Pongal in a happy manner. He said the government has formulated a comprehensive housing project called Tamilnadu Housing and Habitat Development Project to transform slums in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts with World Bank funding assistance.
"Similar project for areas other than Chennai has been posed to the Asian Development Bank for assistance," Purohit said. The governor also said the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) Act and its relevant rules will be notified on January 16 to make the integrated functioning of Multi Modal Transportation System a reality.
