Women queue up for free Bathukamma saris

Women thronged ration shops and outlets set up by the government to distribute saris on the occasion of Bathukamma, a colourful festival celebrated by women, with flowers that grow in each region. This festival is seen as a symbol of Telangana’s cultural identity.

Handlooms Development Commissioner Shailaja Ramayyar and Principal Secretary, Industries, Jayesh Ranjan told newspersons here that the last date for distribution has been extended to September 24. Ramayyar said the sari distribution will be an annual affair.

The beneficiaries are women holding Food Security Cards (white ration cards). Two varieties of saris, one for the elderly and the other for the young, are being distributed.

The scheme, which is being claimed as first of its kind involving distribution of 1.04 crore saris, is a pet project of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. .

The saris were procured at ₹200 crore mainly from the weavers of Sircilla in Karimnagar though weavers of Warangal, Nalgonda and Aler districts too participated in the project. Each weaver was paid ₹5 per metre of cloth produced. The government says the scheme will give a boost to weavers who are facing financial problems.