Date:02/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/02/stories/2008010259180300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Distribution of dhotis, saris commences

Special Correspondent

— Photo: M. Moorthy

Festival freebie: Women coming out of a ration shop after collecting their Pongal gift in Tiruchi on Tuesday.

TIRUCHI: Distribution of free dhotis and saris to below poverty line families, in view of Pongal festival, commenced in the district on Tuesday.

About 5.41 lakh saris and 5.56 dhotis would be distributed in the district through ration shops till January 10. Collector Ashish Vachhani inaugurated and inspected the distribution at a Public Distribution Shop at Khajapettai.

Coupons issued

The beneficiaries are being issued coupons by the Village Administrative Officers. The district administration has already announced that the list of beneficiaries with their address will be displayed at ration shops, offices of the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) and panchayat unions. The beneficiaries whose names figure in the list can obtain the coupons from the VAO.

The names of the wards and streets, along with the dates on which the distribution will take place, will be specified at the ration shops. The beneficiaries can obtain the dhotis and saris from the ration shops on the dates specified for them.

Beneficiaries who are unable to obtain coupons, dhotis and saris on the specified dates owing to unforeseen reasons can collect them till January end.