TN to Distribute 4-Muzham Veshtis, Zari Saris for Pongal 2027, Minister Says

The Tamil Nadu government will distribute single-spread (four-muzham) veshtis and zari saris through ration shops for Pongal 2027 instead of the traditional double-fold veshtis, Handlooms Minister Vijay Balaji announced in the state legislative assembly in Chennai on Monday.

The announcement marks a shift in the Pongal free dhoti and saree distribution scheme, which has supplied double-fold veshtis to beneficiaries across the state for the past 12 years.

Responding to a calling attention motion moved by DMK legislator Austin and KMDK legislator K Nithiyanandhan concerning the distribution scheme, Balaji stated that the government decided on the updated specifications after gathering feedback from residents across all districts.

Balaji informed the House that the public indicated they did not want double-fold veshtis. He noted that the chief minister instructed the handlooms department to supply garments that the public preferred while maintaining high standards of quality.

During the debate, Austin raised objections regarding the quality of the shorter veshtis. He said weavers had raised complaints that the single-spread garments were cheaper and inferior in quality. Austin also questioned why the government was procuring lower-quality veshtis and paying weavers reduced wages for their production.

Responding to the criticism, Balaji defended the policy change and challenged opposition members to wear the double-fold veshtis to the assembly after Pongal. He said TVK ministers and MLAs would attend the House wearing the single-spread garments, allowing the public to judge which design was better.