Hyderabad: District officials, who had kept Bathukamma saris at different godowns, brought them to mandal offices and resumed their distribution to women marking the commencement of the New Year.
More than 40 lakh saris meant for distribution ahead of the Bathukamma festival had to be shifted to all mandal revenue offices after the model code of conduct (MCC) came into force on October 9. During a review meeting with all officials to prepare the departmental year-end reports, it was found that thousands of Bathukamma saris were kept in godowns and mandal offices. Though, lakhs of saris were distributed before the MCC came into force, there was a delay in weaving the entire stock because of which they reached mandal offices late.
In Kalwakurthy of Nagarkurnool district, municipal chairman Y. Satyam distributed saris. The event was held in Gandhi nagar, Vasavinagar, Tilak nagar and Kalyan nagar.
At least 1.02 crore saris in 250 different designs were made by weavers towards which the state government spent Rs 300 crore. Revenue and mandal development officials were asked to resume distribution of saris on the occasion of the New Year and Sankranti. Sources said that hundreds of saris were diverted to commercial markets after the distribution was delayed in October.
