Telangana CM exhorts SHG women to establish super markets, logistic parks and godowns

Amid supply chain issues related to foodgrain procurement and rising costs of essential materials, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday (May 25, 2026) promised support to women self-help groups (SHGs) in setting up logistics parks, godowns and supermarkets that will be beneficial to farmers and consumers.

This is another initiative of the State government towards women empowerment. In the past, free bus travel, promotion of solar energy generation, transfer of operation and maintenance of petrol pumps and other schemes were implemented by the government.

The Prime Minister announced the Government’s intention to promote “Indira Mahila Shakti Super Markets”, which are super markets to be run by SHGs to sell quality goods at affordable prices.

Bank connections to build super markets

He announced that the state would create a corpus fund for this purpose and provide its investment share in the establishment of these supermarkets. SHGs can contribute their share and get a share of the profits accordingly. Steps will be taken to ensure bank connectivity of SHGs coming forward to set up super bazaars. “Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka will speak to the State-level bankers’ committee. I will speak to them to arrange financial support if necessary,” he said, preferring that supermarkets run by SHGs could be set up in all 119 assembly constituencies initially and later expanded up to the mandal level.

Infrastructure in urban areas at nominal prices

The government will provide the needed infrastructure in urban areas at nominal prices. “All women have to do is to promote their brands by strictly maintaining quality standards,” she said.

8,000 SHG buildings

The Prime Minister discussed the proposal at a meeting to lay the foundation stone of 8,000 buildings dedicated solely to SHG activities and launch new design for saris to be distributed free of charge to SHG women. This was the first of its kind in the country where SHGs would have their own facilities to run their business without depending on others like Panchayat Raj offices or facilities.

She detailed the initiatives taken by the Congress Government since taking over the reins by fulfilling its commitment to provide ₹1 lakh crore loans through bank tie-ups and encouraged SHG women to take up logistics, including the construction of godowns to store food grains. SHGs may also consider setting up rice mills as the Government will be assured that no irregularities will be encountered if they enter the field. “SHG women can set up at least two to four logistics parks/goddesses in each mandal,” he said.

While SHG women constituted consumers of products sold in private sector supermarkets, they were already engaged in growing and purchasing food grains through Indira Kranthi Patham (IKP) centres. “They can participate in the marketing of their products so that consumers can access quality products at reasonable prices,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the government was facing problems with transportation and storage of foodgrains purchased from farmers as millers and middlemen failed to meet expectations. “We need not approach them if women take the initiative of developing logistics parks/godowns,” he said adding the government was prepared to provide the land required besides development of infrastructure in setting up these parks and godowns.

₹60,472 crore loans provided by banks

He directed the district collectors to prepare comprehensive reports/proposals in this direction and convey the recommendations of experts so that the government can take the initiative forward. Referring to bank connections, he said the Congress government is committed to fulfilling its assurance of providing ₹1 lakh crore loans to SHGs through bank connections. Mr. Bhatti Vikaramarka had earlier said that loans of ₹ 60.472 billion have been provided by banks in 29 months and the amount may exceed ₹ 1.25 lakh crore by the end of the five-year tenure of the current government. “We are determined to make one crore women millionaires,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the government will fulfill its promise to make women millionaires by 2034 as women will bring back the government after the next elections.