1 Crore Women, 1 Crore Millionaires: CM Revanth Reddy's Bold Vision for Telangana
CM Revanth Reddy aims to make one crore women millionaires by 2034 through SHGs and empowerment schemes in Telangana.
In a sweeping vision for gender-led economic transformation, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has announced an ambitious target to expand women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to one crore members by 2034. The Chief Minister didn't stop at membership numbers; he declared a mission to promote these women as "Crorepatis" (millionaires) within the next decade.
Speaking at an interactive programme in Vikarabad, which coincided with his birthday celebrations during the Diwali festival, CM Revanth Reddy emphasized that his tenure would be truly fulfilled if he could help one crore women achieve millionaire status. Currently, the state has already seen 70 lakh women join SHGs, providing a strong foundation for this expanded goal.
Economic Independence and Entrepreneurship
The Chief Minister stressed that women must transition from being mere participants to becoming economically strong entrepreneurs. To support this shift, the government has already implemented several strategic initiatives to integrate women into high-value business sectors:
- Government Contracts: The stitching of uniforms for government school students has been entrusted to women, creating an annual business turnover of 150 to 200 crore rupees.
- Energy and Infrastructure: SHGs are being made active partners in ventures such as solar power generation and the operation of petrol bunks.
- Public Services: The management of 'Indiramma Canteens', including those located in the Secretariat and various government offices, has been handed over to women's groups.
Financial Support and Social Security
Beyond entrepreneurship, the state government is focusing on direct financial aid and social safety nets. CM Revanth Reddy highlighted the distribution of 4.5 lakh new pensions, with 3.5 lakh specifically granted to widows and single women. Additionally, pensions have been sanctioned on a saturation mode for toddy tappers and weavers.
The financial scale of the government's support is significant. In just 34 months, the administration has facilitated bank-linked loans worth 79,000 crore rupees for women. Other key benefits include:
- Registration of Indiramma houses in the names of women.
- Provision of 200 units of free electricity.
- Free RTC bus travel, which benefits approximately 37 lakh women daily and has helped move the corporation toward profitability.
- Distribution of fine rice through the PDS for the poorer sections of society.
A Call for Education and Future Generations
The Chief Minister made a passionate plea to women to prioritize the education of their children, particularly their daughters. He urged them to take a pledge to ensure daughters pursue higher education so that the next generation does not have to endure the same hardships their mothers faced, promising that the government would stand by them in this pursuit.
Political Clash over Women's Empowerment
The event also saw a sharp political turn as CM Revanth Reddy launched a scathing attack on BRS leader KTR. Ridiculing KTR's claims regarding women's empowerment, the Chief Minister alleged that KTR is a "cruel man" who reportedly drove his own sister out of their home. He challenged the BRS to speak honestly about their actual deliveries during their ten years in power, rather than making "tall claims" while visiting villages.
"Women are the ones who look after the needs of the entire household, without expecting anything in return. A household thrives only when the woman holds the reins," said CM Revanth Reddy.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the women of Telangana for their unwavering support, stating that their blessings are his primary source of power.