Telangana Government To Give 64 L Saris On Indira Birthday

Hyderabad: The Telangana government is set to distribute saris to over 64 lakh women self-help group members across the state on November 19, coinciding with the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Official sources on Wednesday said that each woman will receive two saris under the “Indiramma Saris” scheme, launched by the Congress government to replace the “Bathukamma Saris” scheme implemented by the previous BRS regime.

The distribution was initially scheduled during the Bathukamma and Dasara festivals in October, but was deferred following the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct for local body elections after the Telangana State Election Commission issued poll notifications. However, the elections were later cancelled after the Telangana High Court stayed the 42 per cent reservation for Backward Classes in these polls.

Subsequently, the Election Commission of India announced the Jubilee Hills Assembly bypoll on October 13. The ruling Congress government, led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, was fully engaged in the high-stakes campaign until polling concluded on November 11. With the bypoll now over and Indira Gandhi Jayanti approaching, the government has decided to proceed with the long-delayed sari distribution, sources added.

Under the Indiramma Saris scheme, the saris will be distributed under the supervision of district collectors through SERP in rural areas and MEPMA in urban areas. Telangana currently has about 4.35 lakh self-help groups in rural areas and 1.70 lakh in urban areas, covering a total of 64.69 lakh women beneficiaries. The government has already supplied the required stock to warehouses across all districts to ensure smooth distribution.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had earlier announced that women self-help group members would receive two saris annually, during the National Handloom Day celebrations on August 7 last year. This year, the government has allocated ₹480 per sari, compared to ₹350 spent under the previous Bathukamma Saris scheme.

The saris are being produced under the “Indira Mahila Shakti” initiative by handloom weavers’ societies in Rajanna-Sircilla, Karimnagar, and Hanumakonda districts. Around 131 weaving units in Sircilla alone have received production orders, with a total requirement of 4.24 crore metres of fabric. Orders were issued in two phases, 2.12 crore metres each, involving about 6,900 weavers in the production process.

The ruling Congress believes that launching the Indiramma Saris scheme on Indira Gandhi Jayanti will resonate strongly with women voters ahead of the proposed local body elections in December. The government hopes the initiative will not only promote the handloom sector but also strengthen its connection with women, who make up nearly half of the state’s electorate.