T.N. Handlooms Minister announces change in length of dhotis distributed as part of Pongal scheme

Tamil Nadu's Minister for Handlooms, Textiles, and Khadi, Vijay Balaji, announced on Monday that the government has decided to distribute four-mulam (approximately 1.8 to 2 meters) washed dhotis instead of the current eight-mulam dhotis as part of the Pongal scheme. The Minister explained this change was made in response to the demand from the public.

When questioned by DMK members S. Austin and K. Nithyanandan, as well as AIADMK member Tiruttani Ko. Hari, Balaji stated that after the distribution, ruling party MLAs and Ministers would come to the Assembly dressed in four-mulam dhotis. He further suggested that the Opposition members should come dressed in the eight-mulam dhotis that were previously distributed during their tenure, allowing the people to judge the quality of the dhotis.

Balaji explained that since the TVK government took office, he had received numerous requests from the public to replace the eight-mulam dhotis with four-mulam washed dhotis, as the same design had been worn for the past 12 years. He conveyed this demand to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, who agreed to implement the people's request.

After holding a meeting with the department's Secretary and officials, it was determined that the people preferred four-mulam dhotis. Additionally, when Balaji visited Nagercoil, the weavers expressed their support for the government's plan, which they found agreeable.

Factories producing dhotis informed the government that three-quarters of the population were already wearing four-mulam dhotis, and the government has already placed orders for the procurement of both dhotis and saris.