Lokesh Asserts His Stree Sakti Scheme Empowering Women

 Vijayawada: Education, IT, Electronics and RTGS minister Nara Lokesh on Saturday refuted opposition YSRC’s criticism that he distributed yellow-coloured sewing machines to beneficiaries under the Stree Sakti scheme.

Lokesh, who contested as a TD candidate from Mangalagiri constituency in 2019 but lost with a narrow majority, maintained that he inherited the spirit of empowering women from his grandfather NTR and father N. Chandrababu Naidu. With the blessings of his mother Bhuvaneswari and encouragement from his wife Brahmani, he started the first Stree Shakti Kendra on June 20 in 2022 within the Mangalagiri constituency.

The TD national general secretary pointed out that the Stree Shakti scheme provides free beautician courses and training in tailoring to interested women regardless of caste and religion. The scheme has so far benefitted 3,508 women in Mangalagiri constituency, with provision of financial assistance.

Specifically, the minister refuted YSR Congress’ allegation of distributing yellow-coloured sewing machines saying he had offered them with his personal funds. Further, he maintained that despite his defeat in 2019, he considered it his responsibility to support the people of Mangalagiri through thick and thin. He asserted that he formulated several schemes for the welfare of various sections of people wanting to stand on their own feet. He provided tools, materials and investment for self-employment to handloom weavers, goldsmiths, women and small traders using his own funds.

“During the training, women did not have to bring even thread and needle, as all materials required for training had been provided free of cost at the Stree Shakti Kendra in Mangalagiri. Certificates have so far been given to 2,226 women who have completed their training, apart from free sewing kits,” Lokesh pointed out.

He maintained that due to the large number of women wanting to get trained in Mangalagiri, he started Stree Sakti Kendras in other mandals of the constituency. They inaugurated the Stree Shakti Kendra in Tadepalli on February 1, 2023. Free sewing machines had been distributed to 666 women who took training in 17 batches in this kendra. The next Stree Shakti Kendra had been started in Duggirala on April 10, 2023, and sewing machines distributed to all 616 women who completed their training in 16 batches there.

The minister maintained that all the 3,508 women beneficiaries in Mangalagiri constituency are now self-employed and running tailoring business at their shops and homes. “I am funding the Stree Sakti scheme with my own funds. It has been running successfully for three years now. The scheme will continue to empower women in the times to come,” Lokesh added.