Tamil Nadu ration cardholders to get better-quality, attractive dhotis, sarees for Pongal 2027

As part of the Pongal 2027 gift hamper for nearly 2.23 crore ration cardholders in Tamil Nadu, the state government will distribute good quality and attractive dhotis and sarees by bringing in major changes to the garments to make them attractive and comfortable.

The dhotis and sarees will come with new golden, silver or copper colored polyester zari borders, it was said on Thursday. Apart from the familiar blue-and-white design, blue, pink and ivory-white variants, sarees will also be made available in brighter greens and colours, according to an official.

He said that with the enhanced polycot yarn, featuring higher ratio of polyester to cotton, the sarees will also be softer and airier for the hot summer months.


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In the state government’s Pongal gift scheme, a free dhoti and saree is given away along with rice, sugar cane, cashews, jaggery and cash assistance to all rice-category ration cardholders through the public distribution system (PDS). It is being offered as an attempt to aid the financially poorer sections celebrate the harvest festival.

The state’s Directorate of Handlooms and Textiles has been mandated to purchase the clothing materials to be distributed via the PDS outlets and the state government has already approved ₹300 crore as the first tranche for the commencement of procurement. The state government order mentions that the scheme would be executed at a cost of ₹642.88 crore.

Over 2.27 crore pieces of dhotis and sarees would be manufactured.

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The beneficiaries include not only the rice ration cardholders but also the beneficiaries like old age pensioners and social welfare department beneficiaries. The early procurement and manufacturing would facilitate sustained employment to about 5 lakh textile workers and six months of employment for handloom weavers in the state prior to the Pongal festival, said the official.