CM launches free dhoti and saree scheme for Pongal
Posted on: 05/Jan/2018 11:40:22 AM
The free dhoti and saree scheme for Pongal was launched yesterday by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami. The scheme is set to benefit more than 3 crore people of the state. Mr. Palaniswami handed over the saree and dhoti to seven beneficiaries at the State Secretariat, as a token.
According to officials, 1.56 crore saree and same amount of dhotis would be distributed among the beneficiaries at an estimated cost of Rs 484.25 crore. Other present during the function were Handlooms Minister O S Manian, Revenue Minister R B Uthayakumar and acting chief secretary K Shanmugam.
During Pongal, every year, the Tamil Nadu Government distributes the free saree and dhotis to under-privileged people. Pongal will be celebrated on January 14th this year.
Say officials, The scheme meets the twin objectives of helping the poor as well as provide employment opportunities to weavers by procuring dhoti and saree from them.
The scheme was introduced by then Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran in 1983. Since then the government has been distributing free dhoti and saree to the poor people prior to the Pongal festival. From 2014, the government has been issuing polycot saree to the beneficiaries.
