Dhotis, sarees sourced from cooperative societies in TN for Pongal, says textile minister

Handlooms and Textiles Minister M. Vijay Balaji at a press conference in Vellore on Thursday, November 5, 2026. | Photo credit: VENKATACHALAPATHY C

Handlooms and Textiles Minister M Vijay Balaji on Thursday said the Tamil Nadu government will procure dhotis and sarees to be distributed to PDS card holders for Pongal only from cooperative societies in the state.

Addressing reporters here, Mr. Balaji denied the allegation that the state government was planning to procure dhoti and sarees from other states to distribute to the beneficiaries. The TVK-led government has actually doubled orders for dhotis and sarees made by cooperative societies for the Pongal festival.

“Around 1.87 lakh dhotis and sarees will be procured from the cooperative societies for distribution to PDS card holders. In other words, about 60,000 weavers will be benefited as they would make these dhotis and sarees for the societies under this scheme,” he said.

The minister said the state government is requesting the Center to extend the benefit of tax exemption for another six months for handloom and knitwear factories to import raw materials as it would help revive the sector towards growth. In this regard, the state government has recently submitted a petition to the Centre, he said.

Asked about Co-optex’s poor performance in terms of revenue generation, Mr. Balaji said that steps are being taken to increase sales of Co-optex products. Despite poor sales, no Co-optex store in the state has been closed down citing low sales as the stores help shoppers get quality apparel at a reasonable cost. “Relocation of Co-optex stores to crowded locations in cities is being done to attract public attention to these stores. Online promotion of its products is also being done,” he said.

Earlier, the minister presided over a review meeting on the district’s monsoon preparedness including desilting of water channels, canals, removal of encroachments on water bodies and garbage removal in the presence of PS Collector Leela Alex and Corporation Commissioner A. Catherine Saranya.

The minister also distributed government welfare assistance of Rs. 63.30 crore to 585 women self-help groups in the district. He also flagged off 25 battery powered vehicles to be used for waste collection in Vellore Corporation.

Published – 06 Nov 2026 0:25 IST