Congress launches attack on TS government over Bathukamma sarees

Hyderabad: After staging protests on Monday, Congress leaders launched a scathing attack on the State government alleging that sarees being distributed for Bathukamma festival were of poor quality and that women were miffed over taking them for granted. They demanded immediate withdrawal of cases against people who staged protests and burnt sarees demanding quality sarees.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Tuesday, MLA DK Aruna questioned as to why Opposition parties should not stage protests when the State government was trying to take people for a ride, supplying poor quality polyster sarees after promising hand loom sarees. “We are only demanding good quality sarees. As a responsible Opposition party, we cannot sit without raising questions on behalf of the public,” she said.

MLA Padmavati Reddy alleged that the sarees were not only of poor quality but were also of smaller size than what women in rural areas wear. She refuted allegations that Congress workers had burnt sarees while staging protests. She demanded that the government recall the Bathukamma sarees immediately and deposit equal amount in the bank accounts of women.

Congress deputy floor leader in Legislative Council T Jeevan Reddy smelled a scam in the procurement of sarees and demanded a judicial inquiry into the scheme. He alleged that people were taken for granted while distributing the alleged poor quality sarees and cases were filed against those who questioned the government. He suggested that instead of supplying sarees, the government should have deposited the amount in the bank accounts of beneficiaries enabling them to purchase sarees of their choice.

Congress deputy floor leader in Legislative Assembly Komatireddy Venkat Reddy demanded apology from the State government for supplying low quality sarees to poor women. He felt that the government could have spent a few more crores to procure silk sarees and distribute them to poor women. “In either case, funds spent for procuring sarees was taxpayer’s money. Who would say no if they spent a few more crores and distributed silk sarees?” he questioned.

Source: https://telanganatoday.com/congress-attack-ts-govt-bathukamma-sarees