Pongal gift distribution will be completed by January 10

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi launched the distribution of the free dhoti and sari scheme in his constituency, Chepauk, here on Tuesday.

He said all eligible poor people would get a dhoti and sari ahead of Pongal. As many as 1.65 crore polycot saris and an equal number of dhotis would be distributed till January 10.

It was following Mr. Karunanidhi’s directions that work began early on the scheme so that people would have them ahead of the festival unlike the earlier years, said Handlooms Minister N.K.K.P. Raja. Fair price shops across the State would be roped in to ensure quick and effective distribution.

Mr. Raja said a similar effort was taken up last year, but people in a few places did not receive the clothes on time. This year, all those eligible would get it by January 10. Speaking after handing over dhotis and saris to a few identified beneficiaries in Chindatripet, Mr. Karunanidhi said the total cost of the project was Rs.250 crore. In Chennai district alone, 7.24 lakh saris and an equal number of dhotis would be distributed.

He said the scheme benefited not only the poor but also weavers across the State. Recalling the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s association with the weaver community, Mr. Karunanidhi said even before the DMK came to power, its leader C.N. Annadurai had mobilised the party to support weavers. DMK leaders, including himself, carried bundles of ‘khader’ cloth as headloads and sold them. The DMK’s insistence on its leaders and rank and file wearing khadi was also prompted by the desire to help weavers.

Referring to the criticism of some leaders on schemes such as the free colour television distribution and the suggestion that people be given cash instead of televisions in the wake of the floods, Mr. Karunanidhi said the State had enough money to manage the flood situation and distribute free colour televisions. If it did not have, then he would have announced that money was being diverted for emergency relief for the flood affected from the allocation for the television scheme. But that situation had not arisen.