Chennai: Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has launched free dhoti-saree scheme for Pongal festival. The government had earmarked Rs 486.36 crore for the scheme, which meets the twin objectives of helping the poor as well as provide employment opportunities to weavers by procuring dhoti and saree from them, a government release said.
For Pongal festival, the government will distribute 1.68 crore dhotis and 1.67 crore sarees, across the state. Jayalalithaa launched the scheme by giving away dhotis and sarees to five families in Chennai.
The scheme was introduced by then Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran in 1983. Since then the government has been distributing free dhoti and sarees to the poor people prior to the Pongal festival. From last year, based on direction of the CM, the government has been issuing polycot sarees to the beneficiaries.
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