CM to Distribute 553 Buses to Women SHGs at Parade Grounds Today
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who will attend as the chief guest, is expected to outline various welfare and development programmes being implemented for women.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will distribute 553 buses to women self-help groups (SHGs) under the “Indira Mahila Shakti” programme at a public meeting to be held at Parade Grounds, Secunderabad, on Tuesday. These buses will be leased to TGSRTC, with each SHG expected to earn a monthly rental income of nearly Rs 70,000, providing a significant boost to women's economic empowerment and self-reliance.
Panchayat raj and rural development minister Seethakka on Monday said the state government has made elaborate arrangements for the landmark event in the history of Telangana’s women’s movement. Around 25,000 women from SHGs across the state are expected to participate in the meeting scheduled to begin at 4 pm. She said the programme will showcase Telangana government’s initiatives over the past two years aimed at enhancing women’s financial independence, expanding employment opportunities and promoting entrepreneurship.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who will attend as the chief guest, is expected to outline various welfare and development programmes being implemented for women. He is also likely to announce an increase in the loan eligibility limit for women SHGs from the present Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
During the event, the government will distribute cheques worth Rs 500 crore towards interest-free loans for women SHGs. Cheques worth Rs 20.30 crore will also be handed over towards hire charges for RTC buses leased by women’s groups. In addition, financial assistance of Rs 199 crore will be provided to TGSRTC for the purchase of new buses.
The Chief Minister is also expected to highlight the benefits of the Mahalakshmi free bus travel scheme, under which women have reportedly saved around Rs 10,700 crore so far.
Thousands of women from districts across Telangana have already made arrangements to travel to Hyderabad, many of them using buses owned by their respective SHGs. The government views the gathering as a major platform to showcase women’s collective strength and their growing role in the state’s economic development.
Seethakka said the government’s objective was to transform women from beneficiaries into active partners in driving the economy. She said the state was committed to strengthening SHGs, promoting financial self-sufficiency and supporting business expansion among women.
Calling upon women across Telangana to participate in the programme, she said the event would demonstrate the unity and strength of women’s collectives and mark another historic milestone in the state’s journey towards women’s economic empowerment.
