Bathukamma saris distribution program was launched across the State on Monday amidst protests and fighting among women while the saris were set ablaze by women at some places at the behest of the Opposition parties.
The program was launched by ministers and elected representatives this morning. As per directions of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, nearly 1.04 crore saris will be distributed to eligible women across the State marking the celebration of Bathukamma festivities. Sarees will be distributed across the State till September 20.
Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari launched the distribution program at Wardhannapet in Waranal district, while IT Minister K T Rama Rao took part in the event at Rajanna Siricilla district. Nizamabad MP Kavitha launched the program at Nizamabad. Bhongir MP Boora Narsaiah Goud, Munugode MLA K Prabhakar Reddy and MLC Karne Prabhakar distributed sarees at Choutuppal in Yadadri-Bhongir district. The leaders of ruling party attended the program and distributed the sarees at their respective segments while there are some incidents of setting ablaze the sarees which are the handiwork of the Opposition parties being envy.
Srihari said Bathukamma festival united the women during the statehood movement. Now the sarees distribution for floral festival will bring them together, he said. KTR said they are distributing two lakh sarees in his Siricilla segment. “With two-pronged strategy, we are giving work for nine months to the handloom workers”, he said.
However, unpleasant scenes such as setting ablaze of Bathukamma sarees has created a sort of ruckus which was attributed to the handiwork of the Opposition parties at some places in Hyderabad, Jagitial, Sathupalli and others. Women expressed their displeasure at the Opposition parties for cheap politics of setting ablaze the sarees at various places like in LB Nagar, Saidabad and other areas in the city, Jagitial and Sathupalli and others.
The Congress and Telugu Desam parties have hatched a conspiracy against the sarees distribution program for political mileage. The Opposition parties could not digest the gift of sarees to the women and coming in the way, they deplored. Some women expressed dismay at the Opposition leaders forcibly taking away the sarees and set them ablaze.
TRS leader Sanjay Kumar condemned the attitude of Congress leaders in Jagtial for setting ablaze the Bathukamma sarees. They complained to the police against Rajender, husband of woman sarpanch of Congress and another leader Lakshmi for setting afire to the sarees.
TRS leader Pidamarti Ravi fumed at the Opposition parties for provoking the sentiments of the women, who are lined up to get their sarees as part of the program. The government with aim to make women happy during the floral festival has taken up the sarees distribution. However, the Opposition was getting nervous at each and every welfare program and creating hurdles, he charged. (NSS)