More than 24 lakh families in Maharashtra who are holding Antyodata ration card will get one free saree every year for next five years.
In its first year, the state will spend more than Rs 88 crore as the cost of per saree will be Rs 355 excluding 5 per cent GST charges. The state is likely to spend over Rs 450 crore in next five years for this.
With no fixed time period when the saree will be distributed, the Government Resolution states that the state government will decide when the distribution will be planned prior to one of the festivals.
In addition, the quality and colour of the saree will also be decided by the state government and special attention will be given to the publicity of the scheme.
The scheme to be implemented by Maharashtra State Textile Corporation will appoint the supplier through the panel of registered suppliers and no private supplier will be allowed, states the GR.
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The textile policy of the state for 2023-28 was passed on June 2, 2023.
Under the policy, it was mentioned that a captive market scheme will be prepared whereby families below poverty line will get one free saree every year.
Maharashtra has 24,58,747 families with Antyodaya ration cards and every year the number is likely to change.
The sarees will be made available at Public Distribution System (PDS) shops and the report of the distribution will be submitted to the Textile commissioner.
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“The state textile corporation is a nodal agency for this scheme. The saree manufacturing will be undertaken through registered textile cooperative organisations and registered Medium, small and micro enterprises,” said an official from the Textile department.
Meanwhile, slamming the decision, All India Democratic Women Association (AIDWA) said that the poor people food and not saree.
“Poor people need food and not saree. The real demand is to give 35 kilogram grains at Rs 2 and Rs 3 to people Antyodaya ration card. We have also been demanding with the state government to give 14 food items at concessional rates at the ration shops but nobody is giving attention to it. What’s the use of giving one saree every year? Is it to give boost to contractors?” said Sugandhi Francis, Mumbai vice-president, AIDWA.
