Telangana CM Pledges Enhanced Support for Women Entrepreneurs, Quarterly Reviews

Hyderabad: During an engagement with members of the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy committed to providing ongoing support for women entrepreneurs and announced plans to conduct review meetings with them every three months. He underscored that women's empowerment constitutes a central pillar of the Telangana government's policy framework.

The Chief Minister highlighted that the Congress administration came to power with the backing of women, characterizing their contribution as the government's most valuable asset. He emphasized that women entrepreneurs and FLO would serve as crucial drivers in advancing the state's economic agenda.

Major investment and industrial expansion

Revanth Reddy noted that Amazon intends to invest ₹1 lakh crore in Future City, with the government actively pursuing partnerships with Fortune 500 enterprises. The state government is examining a proposal to set up an additional industrial park dedicated to women entrepreneurs, building on the achievements of the existing FLO Industrial Park. The Chief Minister pointed out that nations with higher levels of women's economic participation typically experience stronger economic expansion and improved living standards.

He highlighted that Telangana hosts approximately 67 lakh women participating in self-help groups, which have collectively accessed loans totaling ₹16,000 crore. Several women now operate petrol pump franchises and successfully compete against established corporate entities. Under the Mahalakshmi scheme, the government has disbursed ₹11,000 crore to facilitate free bus travel for women on RTC services, effectively positioning women as stakeholders in the public transport ecosystem.

New initiatives and skill development

The government plans to generate 1,000 MW of solar energy through the Indira Mahila Shakti programme, with women-led self-help groups taking charge of the project's implementation. Women's collectives have been assigned responsibility for the upkeep of 27,000 government educational institutions and produce two uniforms each for approximately 27.5 lakh students enrolled in government schools, receiving ₹75 per uniform from the government.

The state has initiated construction of 8,000 Indira Stree Shakti Bhavans throughout Telangana, while simultaneously working to expand market access for products manufactured by women's self-help groups through Amazon's platform.

Long-term economic vision

Revanth Reddy suggested that FLO establish annual recognition awards celebrating exceptional women-led businesses. He articulated Telangana's ambition to increase its contribution to India's overall GDP from the current 5 percent to 10 percent, with the state targeting a $1 trillion economy by 2034 and a $3 trillion economy by 2047.

The Chief Minister referenced the Congress party's historical commitment to advancing women into prominent constitutional roles and expressed optimism that the Women's Reservation Bill, introduced by Sonia Gandhi in 2013, would be implemented following the subsequent general elections.

Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, Chief Minister's Advisor Ramakrishna Rao, FLO National President Pooja Garg, FLO Hyderabad Chairperson Sita Reddy Gaddam, and numerous women entrepreneurs participated in the meeting.