Minister Muthusamy refutes allegations over distribution of free dhotis and saris for Pongal
Addressing the media at the Collectorate after inaugurating an exhibition organised to mark National Handloom Day, the Minister refuted allegations made by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who claimed that free dhotis and sarees were not being distributed properly. 'Compared to the previous government, the current government is providing better-quality free dhotis and sarees in an organised manner,' Mr. Muthusamy said.
When asked about Mr. Palaniswami's statement that the AIADMK would distribute free silk sarees for Deepavali if voted to power, the Minister responded, 'Why didn't they distribute silk sarees during their 10-year rule?'
He further stated that when Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a financial assistance of ₹1,000 under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme, Mr. Palaniswami dismissed it as a temporary, publicity-driven initiative. 'However, 1.15 crore women are continuously receiving the assistance, and applications from eligible women were accepted through the Ungaludan Stalin special camps being held across the State,' Mr. Muthusamy said. He added that these camps were organised to resolve long-pending grievances and emphasised that the DMK government is performing far better than the previous administration.
Regarding the Athikadavu–Avinashi project, the Minister said that out of 1,045 water bodies, water is yet to reach 219 due to minor issues in some of the 86 feeder lines. While the main pipeline is functioning without problems, a few damaged feeder lines are resulting in soil sedimentation—especially since water is drawn only for 70 days a year, leaving the pipelines idle for the remaining days. 'The contractor, Larsen and Toubro, has been instructed to resolve these issues immediately,' he said.
District Collector S. Kandasamy, MLA V.C. Chandhirakumar, Mayor S. Nagarathinam, and other officials were present at the event.
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