The Tamil Nadu government will issue order soon for the production of free dhotis and saris under the State welfare scheme, said Minister for Handlooms, Textiles, and Khadi M. Vijay Balaji here on Sunday.

The Minister, who inspected the Co-operative Textile Processing Mill in Erode, told the media a proposal for distribution of free dhotis and saris during Pongal festival has been placed before the Chief Minister, C. Joseph Vijay. Steps would be taken to ensure that shortcomings reported last year did not recur. Any decision regarding changes in design would also be taken after discussions with the Chief Minister, he added.

On production of school uniforms, the Minister said that of the targeted 139 lakh metres of fabric, 130 lakh metres had reached the processing unit, while the remaining nine lakh metres were yet to arrive. And, 110 lakh metres of fabric was processed and supplied to the School Education Department in three phases. The remaining fabric would be completed and despatched to schools before the end of this month. On the demand raised by the power loom workers for assured employment for nine months instead of the present three months, Mr. Vijay Balaji said the government would consider the request to the extent possible.

Regarding the promise of free electricity units for the handloom and power loom sectors, he said the matter would be discussed with the Chief Minister.