CM Revanth Reddy vows to turn 1 crore Telangana women into millionaires by 2034

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said his only remaining goal in life was to see one crore women become millionaires by 2034.

In Short

• Revanth Reddy says Rs 79,000 crore bank loans given to women in last 34 months
• Telangana CM says state aims to make one crore women millionaires by 2034
• Government promotes women's financial independence via SHGs and businesses

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday pledged to transform one crore women into millionaires by 2034, asserting that women's economic empowerment would remain a key priority of his government.

Addressing an interaction programme with members of Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) on the occasion of his birthday, which also coincided with Diwali, Reddy said the government was working to strengthen women's financial independence by providing them with opportunities in business, entrepreneurship and other economic activities.

"My goal is to transform one crore women into financially prosperous individuals. If I can achieve this while serving as Chief Minister, my life will be fulfilled," the Chief Minister said at an event in Hyderabad.

The Congress leader also took a political dig at BRS working president KT Rama Rao, alleging that he had driven his own sister out of the house and questioning his commitment to women's empowerment.

Expressing gratitude to the women who gathered to wish him despite Diwali celebrations, the Chief Minister described them as his family and closest companions, crediting their blessings for his rise to the position he currently holds.

"You are my family and my closest companions. It is because of the blessings of women that I have reached this position. You have given me more than I ever asked for. I have nothing more to expect in life except to see one crore women become millionaires,” he said.

The Chief Minister said Telangana currently had nearly 70 lakh women enrolled in Self-Help Groups, and the government was aiming to increase the membership to one crore by 2034.

Highlighting the initiatives undertaken by his government to promote women's economic independence, Reddy said women were being encouraged to take up several business activities, including stitching school uniforms for government school students, operating Indiramma Canteens in government offices and the Secretariat, running petrol pumps and participating in solar power generation.

He claimed that women were generating business worth Rs 15 crore to Rs 20 crore annually through the school uniform stitching initiative.

The Chief Minister also said the government had extended bank-linked loans worth Rs 79,000 crore to women over the past 34 months. He congratulated Minister Seethakka for her role in strengthening women's Self-Help Groups and promoting their participation in economic activities.

Emphasising that the objective was to make women financially self-reliant, he called upon SHG members to move beyond traditional activities and become entrepreneurs and industrialists.

Revanth Reddy also highlighted the government's welfare initiatives, announcing that 4.5 lakh new pensions had been sanctioned on Sunday. Of these, 3.5 lakh pensions were allocated to single women and widows.

Referring to other welfare measures, the Chief Minister said schemes such as Indiramma housing, 200 units of free electricity and free bus travel for women were aimed at improving the living conditions of women and their families.

Claiming that nearly 37 lakh women were travelling free of cost in Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (RTC) buses every day, he said the government was compensating the corporation for implementing the scheme.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the distribution of fine-quality rice as part of the government's welfare measures, adding that the happiness of women was his happiness.

"This women's power is my strength. The blessings of women give me the strength to work for them," he said.

Taking aim at BRS working president KT Rama Rao, popularly known as KTR, Revanth Reddy alleged that he had driven his own sister out of the house and questioned his claims of working for women's empowerment.

"Ask him what he did for women during the ten years his party was in power and what he gave them," the Chief Minister said.

His remarks came while addressing women SHG members, with the Chief Minister contrasting his government's initiatives with the record of the previous BRS regime.

Revanth Reddy urged women to become self-reliant and take a leading role in entrepreneurship and industrial development. He also stressed the importance of educating children, particularly girls, saying that daughters must be encouraged to pursue higher education.

- Ends