Telangana CM Revanth Reddy hands 553 buses to women self-help groups
Synopsis
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy handed 553 buses to women's self-help groups, guaranteeing each a ₹70,000 monthly rental income from TGSRTC — with 3,000 more buses pledged soon. Backed by ₹61,000 crore in SHG bank linkages and a declared goal of making one crore women 'crorepatis', the scheme signals an ambitious, women-led economic model at the heart of the state's governance strategy.
Key Takeaways
Revanth Reddy handed over 553 buses to women self-help groups on 9 June under the Mahila Shakti scheme .
Each SHG will earn a guaranteed monthly income of ₹70,000 through bus rentals to TGSRTC .
An additional 3,000 buses are to be transferred to SHGs on a rental basis in the coming months.
The government has extended ₹61,000 crore in bank linkages and paid ₹2,000 crore under a zero-interest scheme to SHGs.
Telangana currently has 67 lakh SHG members; the CM has set a target of one crore members, each becoming a 'crorepati'.
Women now manage 27,000 schools under the Amma Adarsha Pathashala scheme and are being given charge of Mahila Shakti canteens and petrol pumps.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday, 9 June handed over 553 buses to women self-help groups (SHGs) under the Mahila Shakti scheme, marking a significant step in the state government's push for women's economic empowerment. The handover ceremony was held at Parade Grounds, Secunderabad, amid heavy rains, as part of the 'Praja Palana-Pragati Pranalika' programme.
How the Bus Scheme Works
The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) will hire the buses from the women's SHGs on a rental basis, guaranteeing each group a monthly income of ₹70,000. At the event, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also handed over cheques worth ₹20.34 crore as advance rent for buses transferred to TGSRTC.
The Chief Minister further announced that an additional 3,000 buses will be handed over to TGSRTC through women's SHGs in the coming months, significantly scaling up the programme.
Financial Support Under Mahila Shakti and Mahalakshmi Schemes
Beyond the bus transfers, the government distributed cheques representing ₹10,700 crore saved under the free travel scheme and ₹500 crore under an interest-free loan initiative. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy stated that the government has so far extended ₹61,000 crore in bank linkages to SHGs and paid ₹2,000 crore to banks under a zero-interest scheme.
Under the Mahalakshmi scheme, free travel for women in state-run buses has led to the government paying over ₹10,000 crore to TGSRTC to date.
Broader Women Empowerment Goals
Telangana currently has 67 lakh SHG members. Revanth Reddy set an ambitious target of expanding membership to one crore women and declared his government's intent to turn each of them into a 'crorepati.' “We are undeterred by the conspiracies and striving with a goal of making one crore women crorepatis. I am taking this responsibility for women's economic empowerment. With the blessing of women, we will continue to run this government until 2034,” he said.
The government is also sanctioning houses under the Indiramma scheme in women's names, with plans to build 1 lakh houses in urban areas registered to women. Under the Amma Adarsha Pathashala scheme, responsibility for managing 27,000 schools has been handed to women's groups.
Political Context
Revanth Reddy alleged that the opposition was actively working to obstruct the government's women-empowerment initiatives, though he did not name any specific party or individual. He said the administration remained focused on its economic goals for women despite such pressure.
With the bus rental programme set to expand and multiple welfare schemes converging, the Telangana government's women-led economic model is being positioned as a defining feature of its governance ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Point of View
And a rental commitment to thousands of SHGs adds a fixed liability to a corporation already dependent on government subvention. The ₹61,000 crore bank-linkage figure is headline-grabbing, but credit access alone does not create enterprise — the CM's call for 'local business plans' suggests the government knows this gap exists. The political framing — 'one crore crorepatis by 2034' — ties welfare delivery tightly to electoral timelines, which is a double-edged signal for long-term policy continuity.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mahila Shakti scheme in Telangana?
The Mahila Shakti scheme is a Telangana government initiative aimed at women's economic empowerment through asset transfers, income guarantees, and financial support to self-help groups. Under the scheme, 553 buses were handed to SHGs on 9 June, with TGSRTC hiring them back at a guaranteed rent of ₹70,000 per group per month.
How will women's self-help groups earn from the bus transfer?
The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) will hire the buses from the SHGs on a rental basis, ensuring each group receives ₹70,000 per month. The government also distributed ₹20.34 crore in advance rent cheques at the handover event.
How many more buses will be transferred to SHGs in Telangana?
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy announced that an additional 3,000 buses will be handed over to TGSRTC through women's self-help groups on a rental basis in the coming months, significantly expanding the programme.
What other schemes were announced at the Secunderabad event?
At the Parade Grounds event in Secunderabad, the CM distributed cheques representing ₹10,700 crore under the free travel scheme, ₹500 crore under an interest-free loan scheme, and highlighted ₹61,000 crore in SHG bank linkages and ₹2,000 crore paid under the zero-interest scheme.
Who are the current beneficiaries of Telangana's self-help group programmes?
Telangana currently has 67 lakh women enrolled in self-help groups. The government aims to expand this to one crore members and has set a goal of turning each member into a 'crorepati' through a combination of asset transfers, bank linkages, and enterprise opportunities.
