Telangana to Flag Off 553 Women-Owned RTC Buses on June 5: CM Revanth
Hyderabad, May 25 (TNT): Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday announced a series of major women empowerment initiatives, including flagging off 553 buses owned by women self-help groups on June 5 and increasing bank linkage loans for SHGs from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
Addressing a programme at the Secretariat after laying foundation stones for 8,000 SHG Village Organisation–Mahila Grama Sangam buildings and launching new “Indiramma Saree” designs, the Chief Minister said the government was working with the goal of transforming one crore women into millionaires by 2034.
He stated that the government had already introduced free RTC bus travel for women within two days of assuming office and reimbursed nearly ₹10,000 crore to RTC under the scheme so far.
Revanth Reddy said a plan had already been initiated to facilitate purchase of 1,000 buses through women self-help groups and lease them to RTC. The first batch of 553 buses would be flagged off at Parade Grounds on June 5.
The Chief Minister announced that bank linkage loans for women SHGs would be enhanced from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
He said the government had facilitated bank linkage loans worth ₹60,472 crore for women groups and disbursed ₹1,390 crore under interest-free loan schemes.
He urged women groups to move beyond small livelihood activities and venture into large-scale business enterprises.
Announcing further support measures, Revanth Reddy said the government was ready to allot 100 acres of land for women groups to establish rice mills, warehouses and logistics parks at the mandal level.
He said women SHGs would also be encouraged to directly procure paddy, process rice and supply it to the government, enhancing transparency in procurement operations.
The Chief Minister also announced plans to establish “Mahila Shakti Super Bazaars” in urban areas on the lines of retail chains such as DMart and Big Bazaar, with the government prepared to provide land on concessional lease.
He said the initiative aimed to provide market access for farmers’ produce while generating sustainable income for women groups.
Revanth Reddy further stated that the government was taking steps to establish 1,000 MW solar power projects through women SHGs and also involve them in petrol pump businesses across district headquarters and important locations.
During the event, the Chief Minister unveiled four new designs of “Indiramma Sarees” featuring a parrot-green colour theme and said the sarees would also be distributed in urban areas.
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Ministers Seethakka, Duddilla Sridhar Babu and Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, along with senior officials, participated in the programme.
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