SHG Products to Reach Offices Across AP

Vijayawada:In a push towards women’s economic empowerment, the Andhra Pradesh government would promote products manufactured by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in government offices across the state.

This decision follows a proposal made by NTR district collector Lakshmisha during the collectors’ conference.

Responding positively, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed the chief secretary to issue appropriate official guidelines to ensure that government departments give preference to SHG-made products and office-use materials.

Collector Lakshmisha suggested that government offices procure commonly used stationery and office materials such as files, pens, pencils, paper and other consumables from women’s Self-Help Groups. This would provide rural women with a steady source of income while simultaneously creating a sustainable market for locally manufactured products.

The CM asked officials to frame guidelines to facilitate procurement from SHGs in government establishments.

The collector said institutional support from the government for SHG products would not only strengthen rural women economically but also encourage local entrepreneurship and small-scale manufacturing. He described the decision as another important step towards women’s financial self-reliance and empowerment.

The initiative aligns with the state government’s flagship “One Family-One Entrepreneur” programme aimed at encouraging self-employment and rural enterprise development.

The NTR district administration has established a dedicated RISE centre at Guntupalli village in Ibrahimpatnam mandal. The centre is conducting workshops and training programmes for SHG women in various manufacturing and service sectors while also creating awareness about modern marketing opportunities.

Officials said SHG women are being encouraged to manufacture high-quality products and explore entrepreneurship opportunities through skill development and market linkage support.