🧵 Higher Wages for Weavers Making Pongal Dhotis and Sarees

தமிழில் படிக்க ›

The Tamil Nadu government has issued an order raising weaving wages for the dhotis and sarees made for the Pongal 2027 free dhoti and saree scheme. It has set aside an extra ₹13.66 crore for the purpose.

Handloom and Textiles Minister M. Vijay Balaji announced it on October 16. He said the hike covers all weavers on both handlooms and powerlooms.

New Wage Rates

The order covers both weaving wages and pre-weaving wages for the new varieties. Reports did not give the old rates.

How the Rates Were Set

• Weavers had asked for higher pay because of rising yarn prices and production costs.
• The government formed a five-member wage-fixing committee. It visited every district and heard weavers directly.
• The Director of Handlooms recommended higher rates, and the government accepted them.
• The minister said the Chief Minister held talks with officials and that pending dues of weavers’ cooperative societies have also been paid.

Where the Money Comes From

The ₹13.66 crore comes from funds already in the 2026–27 Budget for the dhoti and saree scheme. The Director of Handlooms has been authorised to spend it.

A New Look for Pongal 2027

For Pongal 2027 the scheme brings in new varieties with new designs and yarn blends. Dhotis will be two metres long and supplied washed. An earlier government order in July provided for about 1.78 crore sarees with silver and gold zari borders and about 1.77 crore dhotis for all ration-card holders, in a scheme worth ₹642 crore.

Why It Matters

The Pongal scheme gives thousands of handloom and powerloom weavers months of steady work. Higher piece rates mean more income for every saree and dhoti they weave, and families across the state receive better-quality clothes for the festival.

Weavers Handloom Pongal 2027 Free Dhoti Saree Vijay Balaji Day 160