TN's Rs 3,000 Pongal Gift Sparks AP Hopes for Sankranti Cash Aid

• Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin announced a Pongal gift of Rs. 3,000 cash, 1 kg rice, and 1 kg sugar for 2.20 crore ration card holders and Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.
• This scheme has ignited discussions and hopes in Andhra Pradesh for a similar cash aid for the upcoming Sankranti festival.
• Andhra Pradesh traditionally distributed festival kits, but citizens now prefer direct cash assistance for flexibility and transparency, avoiding quality issues.
• Despite financial challenges, AP has a history of welfare schemes, and people believe cash aid would greatly support families during the expensive Sankranti festival.
• The move by Tamil Nadu is increasing pressure on the AP government to announce a similar special package, with people eagerly awaiting their decision.

Why It Matters: Tamil Nadu's Pongal cash gift creates strong demand for similar Sankranti aid in Andhra Pradesh.