The Telangana government is going to distribute over one crore sarees to the women from below the poverty line families during the traditional 'Bathukamma' festival next month.
"On the occasion of Bathukamma festival, all the poor women above the age of 18 will get sarees as a gift irrespective of caste, community or religion," Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao said, as per an official release today.
Sarees would be distributed through ration shops to as many as 1,04,57,610 women on September 18, 19 and 20. District Collectors will oversee the distribution program.
"People in Telangana celebrate Bathukamma and Dussera festivals cutting across religious and caste lines. Bathukamma festival is an integral part of the Telangana life and culture. It is a symbol of family relationships," the CM said.
"We have distributed clothes to Muslims on Ramzaan and to Christians on Christmas. But for Bathukamma festival, we have decided to gift sarees to the poor women of all communities...And all castes," he added.
"The plight of workers in the handloom and powerloom sectors is pathetic....Hence we are purchasing these sarees from them, as it would provide employment to these workers. We are speeding up modernisation of powerlooms. We are giving them 50 per cent subsidy on yarn and chemicals," the CM noted.
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