The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Lorry strike hits common man

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Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Lorry strike hits common man

Staff Reporter

THENI: Shortage of diesel coupled with truckers’ strike has made adverse impact on common man, particularly farmers, in the district for the past four days. But it has prevented the poor and the downtrodden in several parts of the district from getting the Pongal gift hampers offered by the State Government.

Several cardholders, who approached ration shops in their area in Theni and nearby villages on Monday, retuned home with empty hands as the ration salesmen curtly stated there was no stock of Pongal items. Distribution would commence only on arrival of goods. Arrival was possible only after withdrawal of the strike.

The Pongal gift hamper contained half kg each of raw rice and jaggery, 100 grams of green gram, 20 grams of cardamom, and cashew and raisins worth Rs.35.50 in a bag to each beneficiary.

In the fist phase, the district administration had received 80 per cent of its total requirements. Lorry stir hit further supply. The district administration had plans to disburse Pongal items worth Rs.1.36 crore to 3,84,980 card holders in the district on or before Pongal.

With only two days left to complete the distribution, many cardholders had lost the hope of getting the gift hampers. “What is the use of getting free items after Pongal festival,” they questioned. To mitigate the anger of cardholders, rice had been supplied to them in some ration shops. Collector P. Muthuveeran announced at the launching ceremony at Alli Nagaram on January 1 that necessary steps had been taken for speedy distribution of Pongal items without any confusion.

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