About 1.04 crore women will be given sarees free of cost at fair price shops across the State to coincide with Batukamma festival from September 18 to 20.
The distribution of sarees by the government will be made irrespective of caste and religion to all poor women above the age of 18 years, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao decided at a meeting on Friday to review the programme. Mr. Rao said the government was purchasing the sarees from powerloom and handloom weavers to provide them gainful employment. He asked ministers, MPs and legislators to take part and the Collectors to supervise the programme.
A release said Mr. Rao checked the quality of sarees for distribution and expressed satisfaction. He discussed the distribution process with officials.
The sarees will arrive at district headquarters from the production units in the second week of September and from there transported to ration shops. If women were unable to visit shops, their spouses or parents could be handed over the sarees. All beneficiaries must produce Aadhar, voter identity or any other proof.
Celebrated by all
Mr. Rao told the meeting that the government decided to distribute sarees to enable people to celebrate the festival more enthusiastically. Already, the government distributed clothes to Muslims for Ramzan and Christians for Christmas. But, women of all castes and religions will get sarees for Batukamma because it was celebrated by everyone in the State. The festival was an integral part of life and culture of the State. It was a symbol of family bond. The government decided to procure sarees from power and hand loom workers to make them feel happy at getting employment. It was committed to improving their livelihood and, therefore, extended 50 % subsidy on yarn and chemicals that they purchased. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary S.P. Singh, Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman Peddi Sudarshan Reddy and Managing Director C.V. Anand attended.
