Hyderabad: The Telangana government on Thursday launched the Indiramma sewing machines scheme to provide 1.19 lakh automatic machines to BC women. It would provide each Rs 12,000 machine at 100% subsidy.
Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar formally launched the scheme at Dr B.R. Ambedkar Secretariat. The programme aimed to improve self-employment opportunities and strengthen the financial independence of BC women.
The government would accept applications from eligible BC women from August 15 to September 15. Ponnam said the government wanted to help women become self-employed entrepreneurs instead of limiting their role to beneficiaries of welfare programmes.
Indiramma sewing machines to reach all 119 constituencies
The government planned to distribute 1,000 automatic sewing machines in each of Telangana’s 119 Assembly constituencies. Consequently, 1,19,000 women would benefit in the first phase.
Each machine would cost Rs 12,000. However, beneficiaries would bear no financial burden because the government would provide the machines with a 100% subsidy. Ponnam said unemployed BC women interested in tailoring would receive self-employment opportunities under the scheme.
The government would give priority, according to prescribed norms, to the poorest applicants, widows and single women. Homeless women, orphans and women with disabilities would also receive priority. In addition, women with previous tailoring experience would get preference under the eligibility rules.
The government would conduct the beneficiary selection process transparently and according to its guidelines, Ponnam said. Moreover, beneficiaries would have to undergo necessary training in using the sewing machines.
Indiramma sewing machines scheme may expand later
Ponnam said demand for the machines could exceed the number available in the first phase. Therefore, the government would initially cover 1.19 lakh eligible women. The State would consider expanding the programme later to benefit more BC women, he said.
Ponnam said the initiative would allow beneficiaries to earn an income from home through tailoring. He also highlighted other measures taken by the government to improve women’s economic opportunities. These included free bus travel and employment opportunities linked to petrol pumps and RTC buses.
Furthermore, he referred to other self-employment programmes being implemented for women. The minister said the government would also provide funds for Atma Gaurava Bhavans through the BC Welfare Department. It would complete the construction of these buildings, he added.
Ponnam said the government had recently met elected representatives from weaker sections. Following the meeting, it prepared a special action plan for BC development. He added that the government would take forward its next course of action for BC development after the caste survey.
Indiramma sewing machines launch followed by BC event appeal
Ponnam also announced details of upcoming programmes connected with prominent BC social reformers and leaders. He said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy would unveil statues of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule at 4 pm on August 14. The statues were installed opposite the HMDA Grounds.
Ponnam appealed to BC elected representatives and leaders of BC and caste organisations to attend the programme in large numbers. He said the Congress had positioned itself as a champion of social justice. He also referred to the renaming of Pragathi Bhavan as “Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Praja Bhavan.”
Similarly, he said the Secretariat had been named “Dr B.R. Ambedkar Secretariat.” The minister also said Revanth Reddy would inaugurate a statue of Sardar Sarvai Papanna Goud on Tank Bund on August 18. The programme would mark Papanna Goud’s birth anniversary.
Ponnam urged BC public representatives, BC organisation leaders and representatives of different caste associations to participate in both programmes. Government adviser V. Hanumantha Rao attended the sewing machine scheme launch. Government Whips Adi Srinivas and Birla Ilaiah also participated.
MLAs Earlapally Shankar, Naveen Yadav and Kaleru Venkatesh attended the programme. Chairpersons of various caste corporations were also present. BC Welfare Secretary Balamaya Devi and department officials Mallaiah Battu and Alok Kumar also participated.