Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramark said on Thursday (July 17, 2025) that the Congress government is giving interest free loans to women self -help group members, among other measures to ensure the economic freedom of women.
In a conference organized by the State Women’s Commission on gender equality, she said that economic empowerment is the focal point of the government’s efforts, as gender discrimination can be dealt with effectively only when women are financially independent.
He said that the government is giving an interest -free loan of Rs 20,000 crore annually to women self -help groups, which aims to make one crore women millionaires.
He said, ‘When we first announced our view to empower one crore women financially, the opposition parties made fun of us, but we were committed to this mission. In the very first year, we distributed interest -free loan of Rs 21,632 crore to self -help groups across the state.
Vikramark said that within five years, the state government will ensure an interest-free loan of one lakh crore rupees in the hands of women- which will make economic freedom and gender equality a reality.
Vikramark also has charge of the Ministry of Finance. He said that the government is working on a leading initiative of 2,000 MW solar power generation through women self -help groups.
He said that the state is providing bank loan facility to set up a solar power plant to self -help groups (SHG) and the government will buy electricity generated from it. He said that power companies have already made agreements with women groups.
He claimed, “This model is not present in any other Indian state.” He also said that the government is providing free RTC bus travel facility for women, due to which their financial burden is decreasing.