Minister for Handlooms, Textiles and Khadi M. Vijay Balaji on Saturday said a Government Order for the production of free dhotis and saris under the State government’s Pongal distribution scheme would be issued by the end of this month after consultations with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
Speaking to reporters after distributing welfare assistance to sanitation workers and members of the public at a function organised to mark the Chief Minister’s birthday, Mr. Vijay Balaji criticised the Opposition for allegedly failing to raise issues related to departments during Assembly proceedings.
He said Opposition members were raising questions unrelated to the subjects under discussion and were attempting to create new controversies to divert attention from mistakes committed in the past. Responding to criticism that the Chief Minister was not speaking publicly, Mr. Vijay Balaji said the government continued to engage with people.
On the interruption of the live telecast of Assembly proceedings, he said the disruption could have been caused by a technical glitch and added that the issue would be rectified. Referring to AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s remarks opposing the State government’s resolution on the Mekedatu project, the Minister said the comments were politically motivated.
Published – June 20, 2026 05:16 pm IST
