The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lodged a formal complaint with the Department of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) against Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, R. Gandhi, alleging corruption in the state’s free dhoti scheme.
Annamalai, a prominent leader of the state BJP, condemned what he described as “monumental corruption” under the ruling DMK government.
In a social media post, Annamalai affirmed the submission of a complaint to the DVAC, urging for an impartial investigation into the matter. He asserted that the corruption allegations against Minister Gandhi involve a staggering sum of Rs 60 crore solely in the procurement of free dhotis, with additional irregularities suspected in the procurement of free sarees.
Annamalai outlined the accusations, alleging that Minister Gandhi had manipulated the production process of free dhotis and sarees for personal gain. According to him, the minister allegedly enforced the use of polyester in the warp section of the dhotis, contrary to the mandated cotton material. Laboratory testing reportedly revealed that only 22 percent of the warp was cotton, while 68 percent was polyester, indicating a deviation from the prescribed production standards.
The Handloom and Textiles department, responsible for distributing free dhotis and sarees to ration card holders during the Pongal festival annually, has come under scrutiny following these revelations.