It appears that the Congress government has scrapped the Bathukamma sarees scheme this year. Although the Bathukamma festival is fast approaching, the saree distribution process is nowhere to be seen.
During the BRS rule, there used to be a festive atmosphere across the state with the saree distribution before the commencement of the Bathukamma festival. The scheme became an integral part of the Bathukamma festivities.However, the Congress government is now breaking this tradition.
Furthermore, the Congress government’s decision to halt the distribution of these sarees has severely impacted the livelihoods of the weavers in the state. Without orders for saree production this year, many weaving families are once again facing an economic crisis.
During KCR’s tenure, handloom workers saw considerable development and financial stability. From 2017 to 2023, nearly one crore women received free sarees annually, with a total allocation of Rs. 2,157 crores, averaging over Rs. 300 crores per year for the program. This initiative had bolstered the handloom sector and provided a crucial economic lifeline to the weavers.