Revanth Reddy puts women empowerment at top of Telangana agenda, eyes 1 crore SHG members by 2034
Synopsis
On his birthday, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy used an SHG rally in his home constituency to do two things at once: announce ₹79,000 crore in bank-linked loans for women and launch Cheyutha pensions for 4.5 lakh new beneficiaries — while taking pointed aim at BRS rival KTR. The 2034 'one crore Crorepatis' pledge is the centrepiece of a welfare-to-empowerment narrative the Congress government in Telangana is building ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Key Takeaways
Revanth Reddy addressed women SHG members in Kodangal, Vikarabad district on 8 November .
Government targets 1 crore SHG memberships and aims to make members 'Crorepatis' by 2034 ; 70 lakh women already enrolled.
Cheyutha pension scheme extended to 4.5 lakh new beneficiaries , including 3.5 lakh single women and widows, plus weavers and toddy tappers.
In 34 months , the government facilitated ₹79,000 crore in bank-linked loans for women.
Free RTC bus travel benefits 37 lakh women daily ; Indiramma Canteen management handed to women's groups.
CM launched a sharp attack on BRS Working President K.
Rama Rao , challenging BRS's record on women's welfare during its decade in power.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday, 8 November declared women's empowerment as his government's foremost priority, addressing members of women self-help groups (SHGs) in Kodangal, his Assembly constituency in Vikarabad district. The event doubled as a birthday celebration for the Chief Minister, who used the occasion to announce fresh welfare measures and launch a major pension expansion.
Key Announcements and Targets
Revanth Reddy reaffirmed the Telangana government's target of achieving one crore membership in women SHGs and transforming members into 'Crorepatis' by 2034. He noted that 70 lakh women have already enrolled as SHG members, adding that his personal ambition was to see one crore women become economically independent during his tenure.
The Chief Minister also launched the distribution of pensions under the 'Cheyutha' scheme to 4.5 lakh new beneficiaries, of whom 3.5 lakh are single women and widows. He stated that pensions were also extended to weavers and toddy tappers on a saturation basis.
Women's Economic Empowerment Initiatives
Revanth Reddy outlined several measures his government has implemented to boost women's economic standing. In 34 months, the government reportedly facilitated ₹79,000 crore in bank-linked loans for women. SHG groups have been made partners in ventures including petrol stations and solar power generation.
Women have been entrusted with stitching uniforms for government school students, generating business worth ₹150 to ₹200 crore annually, according to the Chief Minister. Management of 'Indiramma Canteens' — including those at the Secretariat and other government offices — has also been handed over to women. Additionally, free bus travel on the RTC network is benefiting 37 lakh women daily, and the government has registered Indiramma houses in women's names while providing 200 units of free electricity.
Revanth Reddy also urged women to invest in their daughters' education. 'Your children should not endure the same hardships you have faced,' he said, appealing to attendees to pledge higher education for their daughters.
Attack on BRS and KTR
The Chief Minister used the occasion to sharply attack Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K. T. Rama Rao (KTR), alleging that KTR is 'a cruel man who even drove his own sister Kavitha out of their home.' He ridiculed KTR's claims on women's empowerment, saying, 'The BRS should speak out about what they delivered during their 10 years in power.' The BRS has not yet publicly responded to these remarks.
Broader Context and What Comes Next
This comes amid an intensifying political rivalry between the ruling Indian National Congress (Congress) government in Telangana and the BRS, which governed the state for a decade before the December 2023 election. Revanth Reddy also claimed that Telangana is the first state to introduce fine rice distribution through the Public Distribution System (PDS) for people experiencing poverty, a claim that could invite scrutiny from opposition parties.
With the 2034 SHG target and the expanded 'Cheyutha' pension scheme now live, the government's ability to sustain fiscal outlays for these programmes will be closely watched by both welfare economists and political observers in the state.
Point of View
000 crore loan figure are substantive, but the 2034 'one crore Crorepatis' target stretches well beyond any single electoral mandate, raising questions about fiscal sustainability and accountability. The pointed attack on KTR at a birthday-cum-welfare rally signals that the Telangana Congress is already framing the next election around women voters, a demographic that proved decisive in December 2023. What is missing from the announcement is any independent verification mechanism for the loan disbursement figures or the SHG 'Crorepati' metric — without that, the headline numbers risk becoming political rhetoric rather than a measurable development benchmark.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Telangana government's target for women self-help groups?
The Telangana government aims to achieve one crore membership in women self-help groups and promote members as 'Crorepatis' by 2034. As of the announcement on 8 November, 70 lakh women had already enrolled as SHG members.
What is the Cheyutha scheme and who are the new beneficiaries?
The Cheyutha scheme is a Telangana government pension programme for economically vulnerable groups. CM Revanth Reddy launched pensions for 4.5 lakh new beneficiaries on 8 November, including 3.5 lakh single women and widows, as well as weavers and toddy tappers.
How much has the Telangana government disbursed in loans to women?
According to CM Revanth Reddy, the government facilitated ₹79,000 crore in bank-linked loans for women in 34 months. The figure was cited at the SHG event in Kodangal on 8 November.
Why did CM Revanth Reddy attack BRS leader KT Rama Rao at the event?
Revanth Reddy alleged that KT Rama Rao is 'a cruel man' who drove his sister Kavitha out of their home, and challenged the BRS to account for its decade in power on women's welfare. The remarks were made at the SHG rally in Kodangal on 8 November; BRS has not publicly responded.
What other women-focused initiatives did the Telangana government highlight?
The government highlighted free daily RTC bus travel for 37 lakh women, registration of Indiramma houses in women's names, 200 units of free electricity, management of Indiramma Canteens handed to women's groups, and partnerships for petrol stations and solar power generation through SHGs.
