Telangana To Expand SHG Opportunities In Rice Milling, Transport And Solar Power

Speaking at a public event on International Women’s Day, he said that the state government’s vision of a USD 1 trillion economy hinges on the success of SHGs. To facilitate this growth, the government will assist these groups in procuring paddy, storing it in godowns, and milling it for supply to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the state government.

As part of this initiative, the state has relaxed SHG membership criteria, lowering the minimum age from 18 to 15 and increasing the upper limit from 60 to 65. The total number of SHG members in Telangana is expected to increase from 65 lakh to one crore. 

In a symbolic move to support the mission, Reddy virtually laid the foundation stone for women SHGs to operate solar power plants. He also introduced a scheme enabling these groups to purchase transport buses on loan, which will then be leased to the state-run Road Transport Corporation (RTC). By expanding into sectors like solar energy, traditionally controlled by large capitalists, the government aims to transform SHG members into industrialists.

During his address, Reddy criticised the previous administration under K Chandrasekhar Rao, asserting that Telangana is now free from the “eclipse” of the BRS rule. He mentioned the contributions of former Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi in empowering women, with Rajiv Gandhi introducing reservations for women in local bodies. 

This article has been republished from The Business World.