Andhra Pradesh Government Launches Schemes and Initiatives on International Women's Day
The Andhra Pradesh government has introduced several initiatives and schemes aimed at women's welfare, empowerment, and safety on the occasion of International Women's Day. These efforts include signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with various organizations and launching multiple programs. The details are as follows:
The government has committed to fostering 100,000 women entrepreneurs by providing opportunities, self-employment, and financial support through SERP, MEPMA, and MSME departments. A brochure outlining these initiatives was released. Under this program, MEPMA will create employment for 30,000 women, while Rapido will provide opportunities to 10,000 women. Additionally, 4,000 women will receive self-employment support, 4,000 will benefit from central government-sponsored schemes, 4,000 will be employed in tourism-related sectors, 4,000 will establish "Thripti" hotels, 2,000 will engage in smart street vending zones, and another 2,000 will be supported through TIDCO livelihood centers. The government has also formulated plans to support women in agriculture-based industries, manufacturing units, service sectors, and businesses. An action plan has been released to provide livelihoods for 10,000 women in the MSME sector by 2025-26.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu launched "Shakti Teams" to enhance the safety of women and children. These teams will work to prevent harassment and crimes in public places and provide immediate assistance and protection.
To promote handloom products, the Chief Minister flagged off "Handloom Raths" (mobile vans) in each district at a cost of ₹60 lakh per van. These vehicles will facilitate easier marketing and sales of handloom products. Additionally, handloom women weavers were provided with free yarn sufficient to weave 36 sarees each.
A program to distribute free sewing machines to 150,000 women was inaugurated by the Chief Minister. Women will also receive free tailoring training along with the machines.
Under the "By Women, For Women" initiative, more than 100,000 DWCRA (Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas) products were sold through the WOW Genie app, generating record sales of ₹5.13 crore. The Guinness World Record achieved through this initiative was presented to the Chief Minister.
A total of ₹645.52 crore in bank loans was disbursed to 7,471 urban poor women, with each woman receiving loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh.
For 143,000 rural women, ₹1,826.43 crore was sanctioned under the bank linkage scheme, along with an additional ₹1,000 crore under the Stree Nidhi scheme. Beneficiaries were handed over their respective cheques.
The government signed an agreement with Flipkart to facilitate the sale of DWCRA group products. Additionally, an MoU was signed with Catalyst Management Services to provide business training to DWCRA women for marketing agricultural and non-agricultural products.
Another agreement was made with the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation to establish a value chain for agriculture-based products. The Center for Collective Development signed an agreement with the government to purchase organic products produced by DWCRA groups.
To provide awareness and opportunities for DWCRA women in the small-scale hotel business, the government signed an agreement with Gatos Café. This initiative is expected to enhance employment opportunities for rural women.
A partnership with Home Triangle was established to expand livelihood opportunities for service providers, benefiting 18,515 individuals across the state. These service providers, including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, beauticians, and home appliance repair technicians, will receive training. Their monthly earnings are expected to range between ₹15,000 and ₹35,000.
The government, in collaboration with Rapido, has waived onboarding and monthly charges for three months, benefiting women working with Rapido by approximately ₹30,000. To support this initiative, the state has provided 1,000 electric vehicles, including 760 e-bikes and 240 e-autos, to women riders.
An agreement was signed with Nature Araku Coffee to expand Araku coffee production in the global market and extend its presence in rural areas. Loans will be provided through banks, and in the first phase, 100 Araku Coffee outlets will be established, benefiting DWCRA women.
On International Women's Day, the Chief Minister announced the implementation of gratuity benefits for 55,607 Anganwadi workers and 48,909 helpers. Under this scheme, Anganwadi workers will receive benefits ranging from ₹1.79 lakh to ₹2.32 lakh, while helpers will receive between ₹1.09 lakh and ₹1.41 lakh. This initiative will cost the government ₹17.73 crore annually.
Additionally, the long-pending demand for gratuity for ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers was fulfilled. The scheme will be implemented for retired and deceased ASHA workers from June 2024 onwards. The government has allocated ₹1.90 crore for this purpose.
Under the PM-Vishwakarma scheme, 1,000 women were sanctioned loans of up to ₹1 lakh each.