Tamil Nadu: Free dhoti-saree scheme from tomorrow

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu government today said it will implement the free dhoti-saree scheme, coinciding with the 'Pongal' festival next month, from tomorrow.

A government release here said that Rs 486.36 crore had been allotted for the scheme for this year and stocks of dhotis and sarees were being sent to taluk offices based on the list of beneficiaries finalised by the Revenue Department.

The scheme, first introduced by the AIADMK government led by the late M G Ramachandran to distribute sarees and dhotis on the occasion of the 'Pongal' festival, will benefit 15,000 handloom and 50,000 powerloom weavers, it added.