Minister for  Roads & Buildings and Cinematography Komatireddy Venkat Reddy emphasized that society can truly progress only when women achieve economic empowerment alongside men.T he Minister was speaking after laying the foundation stone for a Women Shakti petrol pump near SLBC Colony in Nalgonda on Saturday. The project, being set up with an investment of around Rs 5 crore, is a joint initiative of the District Women Federation and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) under the Indira Mahila Shakti programme.

Recalling his efforts as an MLA in 2004 to secure loans for women’s self-help groups in every village, the Minister said the present government continues to give top priority to women’s welfare. He cited schemes such as free electricity, free bus travel, Indiramma housing and subsidized rice as examples of initiatives aimed at supporting women. The Minister noted that AIG hospital has recently adopted the government medical college and GGH in Nalgonda, a Glaucoma Centre has been set up at Kanagal PHC, and solar power units have been established in Aitipamula village through women-led initiatives.

SERP CEO Divya Devarajan informed that loans amounting to Rs 20,000 crore have been extended to women’s self-help groups across Telangana, helping them gain financial independence and confidence. She urged members to fully utilise government schemes, focus on health and education, and stand united against domestic violence.District collector Ila Tripathi said women are now venturing into commercial and agricultural enterprises, adding that this new petrol pump is the third of its kind in Nalgonda district, with three more sanctioned. On the occasion, Minister Komatireddy also inaugurated a fish outlet at the venue.