Government Committed To Women’s Welfare: Tummala

He was speaking at the Indira Mahila Shakti celebrations held in Peddapalli on Wednesday, where he was joined by IT minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu, panchayat raj minister Seethakka, district collector Koya Sriharsha, and local MLAs. The ministers distributed interest-free loan cheques and accidental insurance benefits to women.

Addressing the public meeting, minister Tummala said the government is encouraging women's self-help groups (SHGs) to undertake ventures like solar power plants, RTC rental buses, petrol bunks, paddy procurement centres, and rice mills. In addition, ration cards and Indiramma houses are being issued in the names of women to further strengthen their independence.

He criticised the previous BRS government for neglecting the sanction of interest-free loans to women. In contrast, the Congress government, aiming to make one crore women millionaires, is distributing ₹20,000 crore in interest-free loans annually, despite facing financial constraints.

He also urged farmers to take up extensive palm oil cultivation in Peddapalli district, announcing that the government would provide a subsidy of ₹51,000 per acre over four years. He assured that intercropping in the first three years would provide interim income and said palm oil cultivation would not face issues like monkey menace or labour shortage. The government is working to ensure that farmers get a price of up to ₹25,000 per tonne for palm oil produce.

IT minister D. Sridhar Babu highlighted that the event marks a positive shift in women's lives under the new government. He noted that ₹26,000 crore in bank linkage loans had been disbursed to SHGs so far. He also revealed that plans are underway to set up a megawatt-scale power generation plant managed by women’s groups in Manthani and Kalva Srirampur mandals. Responding to local MLAs' requests, he announced that a V-Hub initiative would be launched in Peddapalli within a month.

On water resources, minister Sridhar Babu stated that discussions are ongoing with the Central government to safeguard and fully utilise Telangana’s rights over the Godavari and Krishna rivers.

Panchayat raj minister Seethakka urged the inclusion of women above 60 years of age in SHGs, recognising them as an essential part of the social support system. She encouraged SHGs to hold monthly meetings focused on self-growth, supported by the government, and urged women to become entrepreneurs and generate employment for others.

The minister also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised the state’s welfare initiatives, including the distribution of Ippa Oil laddus through Anganwadi centres. She cited examples such as women's groups in Rangareddy district engaging in drone businesses and encouraged  others to explore diverse entrepreneurial avenues. She announced that the government is taking steps to distribute free sarees to women during Dasara and Diwali festivals.