Women will drive Telangana's economic future: CM Revanth Reddy

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday declared that his government has taken up the ambitious mission of transforming one crore women into crorepatis, asserting that women's economic empowerment would be the driving force behind Telangana's future growth.

Addressing a massive gathering of women Self Help Group (SHG) members at the Praja Palana Pragathi Pranalika programme organised as part of Mahila Shakti celebrations at Parade Grounds, the Chief Minister said Telangana's economic progress rests in the hands of women and pledged to continue working towards their financial independence.

"We are determined to make one crore women crorepatis. No conspiracy or political opposition can stop this mission," he said, adding that the government would continue its efforts with the support of women and strive to carry forward its development agenda till 2034.

Highlighting India's tradition of revering women, Revanth Reddy recalled the contributions of Telangana icons Chakali Ailamma, Arutla Kamaladevi and Mallu Swarajyam. He credited the Congress for promoting women's political participation and noted that women would play a larger role in governance with the implementation of 33 per cent reservation in legislatures.

The Chief Minister criticised the previous BRS government for allegedly neglecting women's welfare and failing to clear pending zero-interest loans. He said the present government released such loans immediately after assuming office and has expanded several women-centric initiatives.

Defending the free bus travel scheme for women, he said the programme has enabled thousands of women and girl students to access education, employment and opportunities without financial burden despite criticism from opposition parties.

Listing measures taken for women's empowerment, Revanth Reddy said the government has entrusted school uniform stitching work to SHGs, encouraged women to operate petrol bunks and solar power units, established Indira Mahila Shakti Bhavans and created 106 marketing stalls in Hitech City for SHG products. Their products are also being marketed through online platforms.

Revanth decries Meenakshi setback

Meanwhile, CM Revanth Reddy strongly condemned the rejection of Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha nomination in Madhya Pradesh, alleging it was part of a BJP conspiracy. He said that after “vote theft” and “SIR”, the BJP had now resorted to “seat theft”. Stating that no criminal cases were pending against Natarajan in Telangana, he termed the move an attack on democracy and an attempt to silence people’s voices. Revanth Reddy said the Congress would approach the courts and continue its fight until justice is delivered.