There is an annual welfare distribution scheme, i.e., the Tamil Nadu Pongal Gift Scheme, in witch Free Dhoti and sarees will be distributed on Pongal 2027. This scheme was first launched in the state in 1983. Under this scheme government distributed the Dhotis and Sarees to all the Ration card Holders of the state before the celebration of the Pongal Festival.
Every year, the Pongal festival is celebrated in the month of January. Now, the new government is making preparations to celebrate this festival in 2027 and to distribute the Free Dhotis and Sarees to all the Ration card holder released its first instalment of Rs.3,00 Crore. Tamil Nadu State government released this amount for the procurement and production of the Sarees and Dhotis.
All this preparation is for the Pongal Festival going to be celebrated in January 2027. So get ready for the celebration of the Pongal.
Tamil Nadu Pongal Gift Scheme
Every government continue this scheme to provide the new clothes distribution to all Ration card holders of the state. Distributing free sarees and Dhotis to underprivileged families of the state is not only to support them during the celebration of the festival, but also to support all the local handloom and weavers of the state. While making the distribution of the Saree and Dhotis to the beneficiaries, government make mandatory for Biometric authentication at Ration Distribution shop. Every eligible beneficiary who is a valid ration card holder of the state will need to go to the Fair Price shop and, after authentication using their fingerprints, get the same.
By releasing the first instalment of Rs.300 Crore, the department wants to provide the new varieties of sarees and dhotis for the occasion of the Pongal Festival 2027.
| Scheme Name | Free Dhoti, Saree Scheme |
| Occasion | Pongal Festival |
| Festival Year | 2027 |
| Implemented By | Government of Tamil Nadu |
| Total Budget Required | Rs.642.88 Crore |
| First Instalment Released | Rs.300 Crore |
| Beneficiaries | All Ration card holders |
Objective of the Pongal Free Dhoti Saree Scheme Gift Scheme
With this single scheme, the government have two objectives: the government wants to provide new clothes to the people belongs to the low income. Because it is a necessity of the festival to wear new clothes during the Pongal festival, the government wants to save money on buying new clothes. The 2nd Objective of the scheme is to support the local weaving industry of the state.
Features of the TN Pongal Dhoti and Saree Gift Scheme
- Budget Released: For the distribution of Dhotis and Sarees to all the beneficiaries, the government needs a total budget of Rs.642 Crore and in the first instalment, the 300 rupees Crore sanction by the government.
- New Varieties Added: Now the government wants to upgrade the design of the Dhoti and Saree to look premium; they added the gold and Silver Border.
- Number of Dhotis and Sarees: The Tamil Nadu state required a total of 2,27,83,417 Sarees and 2,25,14,094 Sarees for distribution.
- Usage of Old Stock: As I already told you, the government is going to add the new stick, so the old stock of the scheme is going to be used by the government for the Old Age Pension scheme beneficiaries, and the same will be distributed during the Diwali festival.
Eligibility Person
- Every Ration Card holder of the state who chooses rice is added as a beneficiary of the scheme. Sugar Card holders are ineligible for the scheme.
- The Sri Lankan refugee families who are residing in the state of Tamil Nadu and are also registered in the Sri Lankan Rehabilitation Camps are also eligible to receive such benefits.
- Permanent citizen of the Tamil Nadu state and having an active Ration card.
Who take Benefits of the Pongal Gift Scheme?
- The main benefit is that all the Ration card holders of the state who belong to the low-income group will receive free dhoti and saree from the government.
- Now, after getting the new clothes, they can also celebrate the Pongal Festival as the other people celebrate.
- Recently, for Pongal 2027, the government also released the first instalment of Rs.300 Crore for the production of sarees and dhotis, and this government, this time, upgraded the quality and design for the beneficiaries.
- In Pongal 2027, all the beneficiaries are going to receive the high-quality Saree and Dhoti with a new design, i.e. Gold and Silver Border, so that it look premium.
- For the production of Saree and Dhoti, the government gives orders to the local industry, and it will also provide guaranteed employment to the people who work in local Handloom and powerloom industries all over Tamil Nadu.
Distribution Process
- Visit to Fair Price Shop: Every Ration card holder needs to visit the nearest Fair Price Shop available in your District. As and when the distribution of the Saree and Dhoti starts, every beneficiary needs to visit physically.
- Biometric Authentication: At the time of distribution of Sarees and Dhotis, the biometric authentication of the beneficiaries is also required. After completing the successful authentication, the benefits are given to the beneficiaries.
- Get Token: The token will also be distributed by the Ration Shop Worker door to door to every beneficiary; kindly get the same before the distribution.
On the occasion of Pongal 2027, free Dhoti and Saree will be distributed. For this, the government will spend a budget of 642.88 Crore Rupees. In this first phase, 300 crore is sanctioned as the first instalment. For this scheme, there is a requirement of 2,27,83,417 Sarees and 2,25,14,094 Dhotis
FAQs
All ration card holders belong to low-income group Families.
The distribution of the Saree and Dhoti can be made through Fair price Shop in all across the state.
Before the Distribution of the Garments government provides tokens to all beneficiaries physically at their doorstep by the Worker of the Fair Price Shop.
It will have a new Gold and Silver Zari Border, so that the Saree looks premium.
The old stock is going to be distributed to the Old Age Pension Scheme Beneficiaries on the Diwali Festival.