Telangana govt will empower women SHGs to set up rice mills, godowns, and other facilities

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has announced that his government will empower women Self Help Groups (SHGs) to set up rice mills, godowns, and other facilities as part of the initiative to make one crore women ‘crorepatis.’ Speaking at a public meeting on the occasion of International Women’s Day in Secunderabad last evening, he said the state government will help SHGs procure paddy, store it in godowns, and mill it to supply rice to the state government and the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

 

He also said the government’s goal of a one trillion-dollar economy will be achieved only when SHGs thrive. The total number of SHG members in the state is expected to rise to one crore from the current 65 lakh. The government has relaxed norms, reducing the minimum age for SHG membership from 18 to 15 and increasing the upper age limit from 60 to 65. 

As part of the mission to strengthen the women SHGs, Mr Reddy virtually laid the foundation stone for making the groups to operate solar plants. He also launched a government scheme that facilitates SHGs in purchasing transport buses on loan, which will be leased to the state-run Road Transport Corporation.

 

He highlighted that the state government is implementing programmes aimed at transforming women SHG members into industrialists, enabling them to operate in sectors



such as solar power-areas traditionally dominated by large capitalists. Earlier, the Chief Minister has laid the foundation-stone for the Chakali Ilamma University in Hyderabad, coinciding the International Women’s Day. The women’s university’s infrastructure development is being carried out at a cost of 535 crore rupees. 

The chief minister directed the officials to complete the construction of academic blocks, an auditorium, sports grounds, and other facilities within 30 months. Addressing students, he emphasised on women empowerment, giving examples from history about how so many strong women led the country and excelled in various fields.

 

He mentioned Telangana’s beloved Chakali Ilamma, who led a courageous fight against the feudal landlords during the state peasants’ armed struggle. He also asked girl students to take inspiration from chief secretary A Santhi Kumari, education principal secretary Yogita Rana, women and child welfare minister Seethakka and others who have been performing their work efficiently while serving the state. He expressed confidence in seeing 33 percent reservation for women being implemented in the Assembly and Parliament soon. He urged the girls to inculcate leadership qualities in themselves and be prepared to serve the country as people’s representatives.