Residents of Ward No 14 today staged a demonstration in front of a PDS outlet in protest against the improper distribution of the Pongal gift hamper.

According to them, the hamper they received from the outlet did not contain the stipulated quantity of the items provided by the Government. “The Government gives rice, cashew nuts, dry grapes and cardamom in separate packets.

While other shops are distributing what has been advised by the Government, this shop is not doing so. The quantity is very less compared to what is being given in other outlets,” a resident complained.

V. Suresh, one of the residents and Junior Engineer with the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), alleged that the items were given in small quantity and distributed in a single packet.

“This is not the first time such thing is happening here. Even during normal days, commodities are given in less quantity,” another resident alleged.

When contacted, a senior official from Civil Supplies Department said the matter would be looked into immediately and action taken against erring staff.