Powerloom federation calls for early tender for yarn procurement for timely Pongal distribution

The Tamil Nadu Federation of Powerloom Associations has urged the State government to initiate the tender for yarn procurement, so that production of dhotis and sarees for free distribution can begin by June 2025 and be ready by mid-December.

The Department of Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi issued Government Order No. 69, dated April 11, 2025, sanctioning an advance of ₹75 crore for the production of dhotis and sarees intended for distribution to ration card holders and beneficiaries of the Old Age Pension scheme.

A total of 177.64 lakh sarees and 177.22 lakh dhotis are required for the Pongal festival in 2026. Current stock stands at 31.54 lakh sarees and 33.12 lakh dhotis, which means 146.10 lakh sarees and 144.10 lakh dhotis need to be produced. The government has granted administrative sanction for this production and released an advance of ₹75 crore of the total ₹668 crore for the scheme in its first phase.

Expressing gratitude to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the relevant ministers and officials, the federation noted that powerlooms produced 1.77 crore dhotis and an equal number of sarees last year across 68,000 looms operating under 242 handloom cooperative weavers’ societies in the State. “Weavers received six months of employment, and associated workers also benefited significantly in terms of livelihood,” the federation said in a letter to the Chief Minister.

The federation stated that delays in issuing the production order last year led to a delay in production. “We had requested that the order be issued early for 2026, and the government, for the first time in the State’s history, has issued the order in April,” the federation said.

However, surplus stock caused by last year’s production delay could lead to a potential loss of one month’s employment each for saree and dhoti production this year. The federation has therefore requested the government to approve the same production quantity as last year.

The letter further urged the government to begin the tender process for yarn procurement immediately so that production can begin in the last week of May or the first week of June and be completed by December 15. “This will enable the government to distribute dhotis and sarees through ration shops starting January 1, 2026, allowing the public to celebrate the Pongal festival with joy,” the federation said.