“From Indira Gandhi’s long tenure as PM to Sonia Gandhi’s instrumental role in implementing transformative policies like the Food Security Act and Right to Education, women have been at the heart of Congress' mission,” Revanth Reddy said
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Saturday said that the vision of his government was to make one crore women in the state "crorepatis" (millionaires) to transform Telangana into a $1 trillion economy. Speaking at the inauguration of the WeHub Women Acceleration Programme, a flagship state initiative aimed at uplifting women entrepreneurs, Revanth Reddy said, “Women’s empowerment is central to our economic vision. Telangana’s prosperity lies in the hands of empowered women.”
Recalling historical examples of “mahila shakti”, the CM recalled the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s leadership during the India-China and India-Pakistan wars in the 1960s and 70s. “Our victories in these wars were a reflection of women's indomitable strength,” he noted. Revanth Reddy said that the Congress had always valued women's contribution to governance and society.
“From Indira Gandhi’s long tenure as PM to Sonia Gandhi’s instrumental role in implementing transformative policies like the Food Security Act and Right to Education, women have been at the heart of Congress' mission,” he said.
Highlighting the women-centric initiatives of the Congress government, the CM said several schemes were in motion to uplift women economically. Among them is the Mahalakshmi free bus travel scheme, saving them up to ₹5,000 a month. The scheme has also contributed positively to TGRTC’s revenues, with the government allocating ₹5,200 crore in 17 months to support the initiative.
Women-led self-help groups (SHGs) are also being empowered through the allocation of petrol bunks and solar power projects. “Women are now running businesses that were once controlled by corporate giants. We’ve already handed over a 1,000 MW solar power project to SHGs and are ready to give another 1,000 MW,” Revanth Reddy stated.
He added that the government had entrusted women with the management of government schools under 'Amma Adarsh Schools' initiative, awarded uniform stitching contracts for lakhs of students to women groups and provided free marketing stalls at high-profile venues like Shilparamam near Hitec City.
“Women are role models of financial discipline. While some corporate bigwigs defaulted on ₹16 lakh crore in loans, our women SHGs are repaying their debts on time,” the CM noted. The state aims to increase the number of SHGs from 70 lakh to one crore and is launching a special drive to include more urban women in the movement.
Revanth Reddy expressed confidence that the Congress government would retain power for the second term with the support of one crore women. "We will make one crore women as crorepatis and with the support of one crore women, I am confident of securing a second term for Congress government in next Assembly elections. “We got 92 lakh votes in 2023 and formed the government. If one crore women support us in the next elections, we will retain power for a second term with ease," Revanth said.
