Bathukamma branded sarees from next year: KTR

Hyderabad: Telangana Handlooms Minister Mr KT Rama Rao on Thursday announced that distribution of Bathukamma sarees would take place from September 23 onwards. The minister said that the Telangana government would introduce 'Bathukamma' brand sarees from 2020 to give global recognition to the weavers.

"The Telangana government will distribute 1.02 crore Bathukamma sarees in 100 varieties across the state. The government spent Rs313 crore on Bathukamma sarees order alone to help weavers come out of vicious debt circle. The TRS government will officially introduce Bathukamma brand sarees from next year," said Mr KTR.

All the MLAs, MLCs, MPs, ZP chairpersons and representatives of local bodies will distribute Bathukamma sarees across the state. The state government has estimated that 1.02 crore women in the state are above 18 years. Three years ago, the Chief Minister Mr K Chandrashekhara Rao introduced the concept of gifting a saree to every Telangana woman on the occasion of Dasara. Telangana women celebrate Bathukamma for nine days coinciding with Dasara festival.

KTR, along with officials, visited the stocks of Bathukamma sarees at CDMA, Masabtank, here on Thursday.

Telangana IT Secretary Mr Jayesh Ranjan, Handlooms and Textiles Commissioner Ms Shailaja Ramayyar, CDMA Director Sridevi, Tesco GM Yadagiri were present on occasion.

"The Bathukamma saree scheme has been helping 16,000 weaving families. 1.02 crore sarees have been produced by power looms mostly in Sircilla. Every worker in the power loom sector is earning upto Rs20,000 per month," added Mr KTR.

Ms Shailaja Ramayyar said that quality of Bathukamma sarees had been enhanced this year.