The Tamil Nadu government is distributing Pongal gift hampers to 2.2 crore ration card holders, including rice, sugar, sugarcane, and cash, alongside dhotis and sarees. This initiative, costing over 7,600 crore, is seen as a pre-election outreach by the MK Stalin-led government. The CM also launched a public initiative to connect with households and understand their aspirations ahead of assembly elections.