One more Bhagya scheme is on the cards with election round the corner. The Textiles department has proposed a scheme in which below-poverty line (BPL) families will get sarees and panches, at a cost of Rs 550 crore.

The scheme has been christened 'Indira Vastra Bhagya' and Textiles Minister Rudrappa M Lamani has sent the file to the Finance department seeking clearance. This scheme will add to the existing list of populist schemes such as Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Krishi Bhagya and so on.  

Inspired by former prime minister Indira Gandhi's 'Society Sari-Dhoti' scheme, the Indira Vastra Bhagya will cover 1.10 crore BPL families: Men will get a set of poly cotton panche and poly viscose shirt piece and women get polyester saree and poly cotton blouse piece.

Soon as the Finance department gives its nod, the department plans to get the scheme cleared in the Cabinet and commence distribution well before the election code of conduct comes into effect. According to sources, distribution of the sarees and panches will be done through fair-price shops.

Lamani said the scheme will also benefit lakhs of families dependent on the handloom sector. "Some of these families are struggling because the cloth they weave don't fetch the right price. We plan to directly buy cloth from these weavers for this scheme, which will help them," Lamani said.