Govt. Holding Talks With Amazon to Ensure Online Market for SHGs Products: Revanth

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday said that the state government is exploring online marketing opportunities for Telangana's women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and is holding discussions with Amazon to provide them access to national and international markets.

Speaking at the launch of the ‘Indiramma saris’ distribution scheme, organised on the birth anniversary of former prime minister Indira Gandhi at Necklace Road on Wednesday, Revanth Reddy said that the government will soon sign an MoU with Amazon to market products made by SHGs on its online platform.

The Chief Minister said that his government is committed to make one crore women in the state “crorepatis” by enabling Women SHGs to operate petrol pumps, solar power plants and buses.

Revanth Reddy said one crore saris will be distributed to one crore women aged 18 and above holding ration cards. The first phase will cover 65 lakh women across rural areas from November 19 to December 9, while the second phase will distribute 35 lakh saris in urban areas from March 1 to 8.

In addition, collectors were instructed to maintain SEEEPEC survey data, collect Aadhaar details and implement facial recognition during distribution.

Revanth Reddy highlighted the government's measures to empower women, stating that previous governments neglected interest-free loans to women's groups, while his government is releasing loans along with required funding.

He noted that women are receiving free RTC bus travel, while women groups have been awarded contracts to stitch uniforms, earning `30 crore. Works worth `534 crore under Amma Adarsha Pathashala Committees in schools and paddy procurement responsibilities have also been assigned to women’s federations.

The government has established Indira Mahila Shakti Bazaar on three acres near Shilparamam to promote women-made products, and negotiations with Amazon aim to expand global market access.

Deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka said the programme aims to enhance women’s dignity, while minister Seethakka praised women’s groups for maintaining 98 per cent loan repayment, prompting banks to extend credit. She dismissed misinformation surrounding the scheme and said sky-blue sarees were chosen to symbolise limitless growth.

Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Ponnam Prabhakar, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Vakiti Srihari and senior officials attended the event.

Later, the Chief Minister held a video conference with collectors of all districts from the Secretariat to review arrangements for distribution of saris. He interacted with a few members of women SHGs from various districts through video conference.

Revanth Reddy said the Congress government accords high respect to women, and has accordingly introduced the scheme to benefit one crore women. He instructed collectors to appoint a Special Officer for each Assembly constituency to supervise the distribution. The programme will be organised in a festive atmosphere at every mandal headquarters, with MPs, MLAs, MLCs and public representatives participating.

During the interaction with women SHGs, when the Chief Minister enquired about the functioning of a petrol station allotted to women SHG groups, Narayanpet District Mahila Samakhya president Arundhati said it was earning `4 lakh per month. He asked collectors to organise study tours for women groups from other districts to learn from its success.

Women SHGs expressed gratitude for the scheme, stating that the sarees are available in both six-metre and nine-metre designs and serve as a uniform giving them a collective identity. Sreedevi, the president of Komaram Bheem Asifabad District Women’s Federation, said the sarees act as symbolic uniforms, strengthening unity among women's groups.