The government has decided to give five grocery items free as Diwali gift to all ration card holders of the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister V.P. Sivakolundhu announced the government's decision to provide Diwali gift hampers containing 2kg sugar and sunflower oil, 1kg gram dal (kadalai paruppu) and 500 gm each of refined flour and rava to card holders.

The initiative will benefit approximately 3.45 lakh ration card holders in Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam. An official said the government will incur an additional ₹25 crore in food procurement through the Puducherry State Consumers Cooperative Federation Limited.

Monthly distribution
The official said the Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department was working on a proposal to distribute five products, including grains and ghee, free every month to red and yellow ration card holders. "We are working on a proposal to place before the Cabinet. Yellow card holders will receive half the quantity of products given to red card holders for free. The finer details are being worked out," the official said.

PC: zee news