Mahila Shakthi: Delay in decision on saree tailoring wages for Mahila Shakthi

Saree distribution to be delayed

Hyderabad: The government's much-anticipated Mahila Shakti saree distribution has been put on hold. It is learnt that production is being delayed as the yarn is ready but the wage rate has not been finalized. Workers are not coming forward to manufacture as the government is insisting on paying them Rs. 34 per meter like Bathukamma sarees. Due to this, official sources are expressing the opinion thatthe distribution of sareesto the members of women 's associations may not be possible by August 15. It is known that CM Revanth Reddy had announced on the occasion of National Handloom Day on August 8, 2024 that two sarees will be distributed to each of the approximately 65 lakh women in women's self-help groups in the state.

Orders for women's power sarees

They promised to distribute it by the Bathukamma festival. They said that it would be distributed by the Bathukamma festival, but it would be given by Sankranti. The government is making successive postponements. The officials of the Handloom and Textile Department have not taken any handloom steps. Orders were given for the production of cloth for sarees in one phase in January 2025 and the second phase in March. However, it was decided to produce on only 2 thousand looms while there are 26 thousand looms in Sircilla. The Handloom and Textile Department has given orders for 4.24 croreMahila Shakthisarees in the two phases. The wage rate given to the Assamese and workers. Not decided. In the past, those who used to pay Rs. 34 per meter for Bathukamma sarees, of which Rs. 11 for the Assamese and Rs. 5 for the workers. Currently, as the government says, the workload is high to produce cotton sarees, and the workers are demanding a wage increase.

On the occasion of Bathukamma festival

At least Rs. 2 per meter, that is, Rs. 13 for Assam. They are demanding that the workers be given Rs. 7. Otherwise, they are complaining that they will not be able to earn even Rs. 10,000 per month. The government has not taken care of the workers' grievances and the production of garments has not started. Even after months of the Chief Minister's announcement, the production of sarees has not started. The previous BRS government spent about Rs. 1.50 croreBathukamma sareesOrders were placed nine to ten months in advance for production. If the workers were to work on a fast track, the sarees would be ready by the Bathukamma festival, but this year the government has already announced that the sarees will be delivered to them on August 15. But there is only 45 days left for this. Officials say that in these circumstances, there is no way the sarees will be delivered, and at least there is no way Mahila Shakti will be able to distribute sarees even for the Bathukamma festival.

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