HYDERABAD: Not much enthusiasm was seen among women beneficiaries about Bathukamma saree distribution in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits. About 55 per cent to 58 per cent women beneficiaries have come forward to avail the Bathukammma sarees distributed by the state government as part of Bathukamma festival.The saree distribution commenced on September 18 and Wednesday was the last day for distribution.
However, as the response was lukewarm from the beneficiaries in the twin cities, the state government extended the last day up to Sunday for saree distribution.Of the identified 7,66,222 beneficiaries in GHMC limits, some 4.50 lakh women beneficiaries have come forward to avail the Bathukamma sarees till September 22. On Friday, as many as 12,000 sarees in all 30 GHMC circles were distributed. Over three lakh women beneficiaries in Greater Hyderabad have not come forward to take the Bathukamma sarees, though GHMC authorities have made elaborate arrangements for sarees distribution.
The saree distribution event in Telangana witnessed protests by women who alleged that poor quality sarees were being distributed.
Also a few sarees were burnt in some districts by women. Instead of receiving the handloom saree, most of them got different quality of sarees procured from Gujarat and other states. “We expected that all the identified beneficiaries or up to 90-95 per cent women would come forward to claim the sarees, but till date not even 60% of the target has been crossed, we will continue the saree distribution till Sunday,” said GHMC officials.As many as 700 buildings and community halls closeby to Fair Price Shops have been identified for storage and distribution of sarees. As many as 15 circle-level committees were constituted to coordinate and monitor the entire process, the GHMC staff were pressed to duty for the distribution of sarees, they added.