Jaya allots Rs.486 crore for free saree, dhoti

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has allocated Rs.486.36 crore for distribution of free sarees and dhotis for Pongal, the harvest festival, in 2015.

"The Chief Minister has allocated Rs.486.36 Crore for distribution of 1,73,23,000 sarees and 1,72,05,000 dhotis for Pongal festival in 2015," the Tamil Nadu government said in a statement today.

During the first phase, she has ordered release of Rs.240.55 crore as advance to Cooperative Weavers' Societies for production of sarees and dhotis.

The Chief Minister has ordered distribution of polycot sarees in view of its popularity, the statement added.