Dhotis, sarees procured from cooperative societies in T.N. for Pongal, says Textiles Minister

Minister for Handlooms and Textiles M. Vijay Balaji at a press meet in Vellore on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

Minister of Handlooms and Textiles M. Vijay Balaji on Thursday said that Tamil Nadu government will procure dhotis and sarees that will be distributed for PDS cardholders for Pongal only from Cooperative Societies in the State.

Addressing reporters here, Mr. Balaji denied claims that the State government plans to procure dhotis and sarees from other States to distribute them for beneficiaries. In fact, the TVK led government has doubled the orders of dhotis and sarees produced by Cooperative Societies for the Pongal festival.

“Around 1.87 crore of dhotis and sarees will be procured from Cooperative Societies for distribution for PDS cardholders. In other words, around 60,000 weavers will be benefitted as they would make these dhotis and sarees for the societies under the scheme,” he said.

The Minister said that the State government has been requesting the Centre to extend tax exemption benefits for additional six months for handloom and knitwear factories to import raw materials as it would help to revive the sector towards growth. In this regard, the State government has submitted a petition to the Centre recently, he said.

Asked about the poor performance of Co-optex in terms of revenue generation, Mr. Balaji said that steps are being taken to increase the sale of Co-optex products. Despite poor sales, no Co-optex outlet has been closed in the State, citing low sales as the outlets help buyers to get quality garments at reasonable costs. “Relocation of Co-optex outlets to crowded spots in towns and cities are being done to draw public attraction to these outlets. Online promotion of its products is also done,” he said.

Earlier, the Minister chaired a review meeting on the district monsoon preparedness including desilting of water channels, canals, removal of encroachments on water bodies and garbage disposal in the presence of Collector P.S. Leela Alex and Corporation Commissioner A. Catherine Saranya.

The Minister also distributed government welfare assistance to a tune of Rs. 63.30 crore to 585 women’s self-help groups in the district. He also flagged off 25 battery-powered vehicles that will be used for garbage collection in Vellore Corporation.