Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka announced a bold push for women’s economic freedom, highlighting the Congress government’s commitment to gender equality through interest-free loans for Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Speaking at a State Women’s Commission conference on gender equality, Vikramarka emphasized that financial independence is key to tackling gender discrimination.

The government is disbursing ₹20,000 crore annually in interest-free loans to women’s SHGs, with ₹21,632 crore already distributed in the first year alone. “Despite opposition mockery, we’ve stayed true to our vision of making one crore women crorepatis,” Vikramarka said, aiming to channel ₹1 lakh crore to SHGs over five years.

Vikramarka, also the finance minister, unveiled a pioneering initiative to generate 2,000 MW of solar power through SHGs, with bank loans facilitating solar plant setups and the state purchasing the electricity. “No other Indian state has this model,” he claimed. Power utilities have already signed agreements with women’s groups.

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Additionally, the government is fostering entrepreneurship by supporting SHGs to purchase 650 buses leased to the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation, ensuring steady income. Free RTC bus travel for women further eases financial burdens, enabling access to temples, schools, and hospitals.

Vikramarka’s initiatives, including canteens and school uniform projects, aim to transform Telangana into a national model for women’s empowerment, blending economic opportunity with social progress.

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