CHENNAI: Minister for Handlooms and Textiles R Gandhi announced on Saturday that the much-awaited free saree and veshti distribution for the upcoming Pongal festival will commence on November 15, adding that 15 varieties of sarees and five types of veshtis have already been prepared in superior quality.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the renovated Murugan Silk Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society building in Kancheepuram, developed under the Handloom Support Scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 65 lakh, the Minister said the Pongal gift distribution has been successfully implemented for the past four years. "The distribution was only slightly delayed last year due to the Parliamentary elections," he clarified.

"The preparation work is now complete, and sarees and veshtis of attra

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