* To be distributed to eligible ration card holders
Chennai, July 3:
The Tamil Nadu Government has sanctioned ₹300 crore as the first instalment for the annual free Pongal dhoti and saree distribution scheme ahead of the Pongal.
According to a Government Order issued by the Handlooms Handicrafts and Textiles Department, the funds will be utilised for the production and procurement of dhotis and sarees to be distributed to eligible rice ration card holders across the State.
The government has emphasised that the scheme will largely benefit the traditional weaving sector, with dhotis and sarees primarily procured from cooperative handloom weavers’ societies. Any additional requirement will be met through cooperative powerloom societies, ensuring wider support to textile workers. The Directorate of Handlooms has been entrusted with identifying agencies and supervising production.
After production, the materials will be transported to warehouses of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation and distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS) network of fair price shops.
To ensure transparency and prevent duplication, the government has mandated biometric authentication during distribution. For beneficiaries who are unable to use fingerprint verification, alternative methods such as iris authentication and other approved systems will be provided.
A state-level monitoring committee comprising the Commissioner of Revenue Administration, the Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection, and the Director of Handlooms and Textiles has been constituted to oversee procurement, storage, logistics and distribution. The panel will ensure that the scheme is implemented efficiently and that supplies reach beneficiaries well before the festival.
The scheme, implemented annually, is one of the State’s key welfare initiatives aimed at supporting economically weaker sections while also sustaining the livelihoods of handloom weavers and workers in the textile sector.