Suicides by powerloom weavers had almost become a norm in Sircilla in Telangana in the last decade. But an unexpected gesture by the state government promised to give a new lease of life to the limping powerloom industry. The Telangana government had decided to gift poor women of the state with sarees on the eve of Bathukamma, a local festival which has become synonymous with Telangana culture.
The administration placed an order of 1.04 crore sarees with the weavers of Sircilla. However, the initiative, which was supposed to be a boon, multiplied the problems of many of the weavers. Around 15,000 weavers were to benefit from the bulk purchase of the polyster sarees, but majority of them missed the short deadline set by the state handlooms and textiles department. As a result, only 65 per cent of the total order was bought by the government, while a large quantity of yarn still lie unused with the weavers.
The order was placed in June first week and the deadline to deliver the sarees was September 5. “We bought huge quantity of yarn for this order. Since we had only a few months time, we could not finish producing the sarees. We have given representation to the concerned officials to give us more time for production. What will we do with the material if we have no orders?” said V. Markandeyulu, a weaver and a local social activist. He also expressed concern that weavers will once again be jobless in the coming months.
The officials decided to complete the purchase of the sarees and then transport them to Hyderabad and Surat for processing, printing and packing. The distribution of sarees will take place between September 20 and 28 across the state.
The state government is spending Rs 200 crore for this order. Two types of sarees have been finalised for distribution, one for the elders and the rest for youngsters and middle-aged women. For producing plain saree with border in ten colours, keeping in mind those aged 50 and above, the weavers were paid Rs 148 for each saree. For printed sarees meant for lower age-group, the weavers were paid Rs 112 per piece.
According to weavers, in the last two months, each of them earned anywhere between Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000.
V. Ashok Rao, assistant director, handlooms and textiles department said that the deadline was set at the time of giving the order and the weavers were asked to stick to it. “We have just 15 days to print and pack the sarees so we cannot give them more time.”
He said that the weavers would not get affected financially as the yarn lying with them can be used for future orders placed by the government.
