No free Bathukamma saris this Dassehra

Election Commission says no to Telangana government’s plan

The TRS government’s plan to distribute 9.5 million saris among Telangana women on the occasion of the “Batukamma” festival has been grounded with the Election Commission of India putting its foot down.

Batukamma, to be celebrated from October 9 to 17 is a festival of flowers, during Dassehra, which has been celebrated as a state festival since the formation of Telangana.

The election body has refused permission to the state government for distribution of saris saying it violated the model code of conduct enforced in view of the forthcoming state assembly elections.

After the state Chief Electoral Officer Rajath Kumar sought clarification on whether the caretaker government can go ahead with the distribution of saris, the CEC sent a communication that it would be a violation of model code of conduct. The CEC noted that though the scheme was old, it would amount to influencing the voters.