Weavers who make saris and dhotis for free distribution through the Public Distribution System outlets during Pongal are likely to see lesser order this year, which will affect their livelihood.
Close to 60,000 looms benefit from the State government’s free saree and dhoti scheme in the State. The demand of saris and dhotis for the scheme is estimated to be 1.77 crore each for distribution during Pongal 2026. However, the weavers supplied till December 2024 only 1.5 crore saris and almost an equal amount of dhotis. They have stock of 23.2 lakh saris and 19.6 lakh dhotis. The registered cooperative societies have a stock of 8.18 lakh saris and 13.3 lakh dhotis.
According to an order issues by the government in April this year, the weavers should give 1.46 crore saris and 1.44 crore dhotis as there is a total carry over stock (from last year) of 31.54 lakh saris and 33.12 lakh dhotis.
One of the weavers in Erode said it was learnt that the carry over stock may be higher and the officials are yet to arrive at a final number. “We fear that if the stock is higher, the orders for distribution for Pongal 2026 may come down. This will have a cascading effect, right from yarn suppliers to women who get temporary jobs for folding the saris and dhotis. There are nearly 2,000 women who are employed in that work,” he said.
Further, the government should take an actual count of the saris and dhotis required for Pongal distribution and place orders accordingly. The goods supplied by the weavers should be distributed to the beneficiaries without fail. “The free saree and dhoti scheme is a major employment generator in the rural weaving clusters. The government should implement the scheme in such a way that it does not affect or reduce work for the weavers,” he said.
Published – August 02, 2025 07:34 pm IST
