The BRS government has started distributing Bathukamma sarees to women earlier than usual, in anticipation of the announcement of the election schedule. Around 80% of the sarees have already reached the distribution centers. The government is spending Rs 354 crore on 1.02 crore sarees, which are being made by weavers.
Normally, the saree distribution begins during Bathukamma/Navratri, but this time it is happening during ‘Pitrapaksham’. The ruling party representatives are concerned that the program may face code hurdles once the Election Commission (EC) announces the poll schedule, so they have decided to distribute the sarees early. The EC team is currently on a visit to Telangana and may announce the schedule in the second week of this month.
Since 2017, the government has distributed sarees worth Rs 5.81 crore to women above 18 years of age across the state. The Bathukamma sarees have become a symbol of self-respect and are made by weavers from Sircilla, Pochampally, and Gadwal on the orders of the Telangana State Cooperative Society (TSCO) and Telangana Handloom department. This year, there are more than 250 designs and 625 varieties of sarees with zari, thread borders, different color combinations, and made from 100% polyester filament.
The majority of the sarees were made by Sircilla weavers in collaboration with 139 MACS societies and 126 SSIs. In addition to the regular six-meter sarees, nine-meter length sarees have been specially prepared for elderly women in North Telangana. These sarees will be available at fair price shops throughout the state, and distribution will also be carried out by public representatives and officials at select places.
