TS Govt to distribute 1 Crore sarees on Bathukamma festival

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has announced a mammoth and unprecedented gift for women in Telangana State!

On the occasion of Bathukamma festival, all the poor women above the age of 18 years will get sarees as gift irrespective of their caste, community or religion. He said that the sarees would be distributed through ration shops to a staggering 1,04,57,610 women on September 18, 19 and 20. He said the sarees required for the distribution are purchased from the handloom and power loom sectors to support the weavers and workers.

The CM gave a call to MPs, Ministers, MLAs, MLCs and other public representatives to make the saree distribution programme a big success. He has asked the District Collectors to monitor and supervise the programme.

The Chief Minister has reviewed the saree distribution programme on the occasion of Bathukamma festival, here at Pragati Bhavan on Friday. The CM has examined the quality of sarees to be distributed and expressed satisfaction over the quality. He spoke to the officers concerned about the distribution programme and finalised the schedule.

Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman Peddi Sudershan Reddy, MD CV Anand, Chief Secretary SP Singh, Handlooms and textiles Director Shailaja Ramaiyer, Joint Director V Purnachandra Rao, GM P Yadagiri, CMO officials S Narsing Rao, Shanta Kumari, Smita Sabharwal, Rajasekhara Reddy, Bhoopal Reddy and others participated.

“People in Telangana celebrate Bathukamma and Dussera festivals cutting across religion and caste. This is a State’s festival. Bathukamma festival is an integral part of the Telangana life and culture. This festival is a symbol of family relationships. The state government has decided to distribute sarees on this occasion to enable people to celebrate the festival with more enthusiasm. We have distributed clothes to Muslims on Ramzaan and Christians on Christmas. But for Bathukamma festival, we have decided to gift sarees to the poor women from all the communities, Hindu, Muslim, Christian etc., and from all the castes,” the CM declared.

“The plight of workers dependent on handloom and power loom sectors is pathetic. Due to lack of work, some workers have even committed suicides. The government is trying to change the situation. Hence we are purchasing sarees from them, as it would provide employment to the workers. This would create employment guarantee, which in turn gives confidence. By distribution of sarees, there will be more happiness among women and there will be happiness among the workers that they are getting employment. This gives us happiness. We are speeding up the process of modernizing the power looms. We are giving 50 percent subsidy on yarn and chemicals. This will result in making the handloom workers life better and they will come out of their dire straits,” KCR said.

Orders have already been placed for the procurement of 1,04,57,61 sarees to as many women. They are under weaving process. These sarees will reach the district head quarters from the making units in the second week of September. From the district centres they will be transported to the ration shops and the distribution will take place on Sept 18, 19 and 20. In case a woman beneficiary cannot come to the ration shop, her husband or father or mother can take it. In the ration shop, the beneficiaries should show their Adhar or Voter identity card or anyother identity card. The entire programme will be monitored by the district collectors.

The Chief Minister has asked Minister K Tarakarama Rao to write a letter to the Ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs and other public representatives to make the programme a success. Chief Secretary SP Singh will have a videoconference with the Collectors on Saturday on the matter.