Congress launches first-of-its-kind welfare schemes for women: Uttam Kumar Reddy

Hyderabad: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday said the Congress government has launched first-of-its-kind schemes focused exclusively on women’s empowerment. He was addressing Mahila Congress workers at Yusufguda in Jubilee Hills, as part of the by-election campaign.

He said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka are committed to women-centric governance. For the first time, the state is implementing a structured plan to make women financially independent.

Uttam Kumar Reddy outlined several initiatives. The government is allotting petrol bunks, diesel outlets, and solar power units to women’s self-help groups (SHGs). These SHGs are also running Indiramma Canteens and stitching school uniforms, turning welfare into income-generating work.

Insurance, infrastructure, and credit support for SHGs

The minister announced an exclusive insurance scheme for SHG members. If a member dies accidentally, the government will waive the outstanding loan and give ₹10 lakh to the family.

To support SHG activities, the government is building dedicated centres in every district. Each facility will have a ₹5 crore budget. The state is also giving interest-free loans to SHGs, reversing what he called ten years of neglect under the BRS rule.

He added that Jubilee Hills alone received 40,000 new white ration cards under Congress rule, benefits that the previous government failed to deliver.

The Congress government, he said, is fulfilling its key promises: 6 kg fine rice per person, LPG cylinders at ₹500, and 200 units of free electricity to eligible households.

Women are central to this shift: Uttam Reddy

Uttam Reddy urged women to play an active role in the ongoing transformation. “Every woman must become a stakeholder in this historic shift,” he said.

He expressed confidence in Congress candidate Naveen Yadav’s win in Jubilee Hills, stating that internal surveys show strong public support. He added that opposition parties are resorting to misinformation due to waning credibility.

The event saw participation from AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, senior leader V. Hanumantha Rao, MLA Yashaswini Reddy, GHMC Mayor Vijayalakshmi, Corporation Chairperson Bandru Shobharani, Mahila Congress President Sunita Rao, and leader Jansi Reddy.