Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday declared women's self-help groups (SHGs) a transformative economic engine for Andhra Pradesh, inaugurating the national-level SARAS Mela 2026 in Guntur. He presented the collective as a historic model of grassroots financial power that has gained recognition across India.
A Financial Powerhouse Built by Women
Naidu detailed the monumental scale of the movement, stating that nearly 80 lakh women are part of DWCRA groups and another 24 lakh are associated with MEPMA. Through disciplined savings over the years, these collectives have amassed a staggering corpus of close to ₹26,000 crore, establishing unprecedented financial stability for millions of households.
"Economic empowerment was the core objective," the Chief Minister emphasized, noting that this foundation has enabled 93,000 women to evolve into micro, MSME, and small-scale entrepreneurs. He reiterated the government's commitment to the "One Family One Entrepreneur" policy aimed at further strengthening household incomes.
Major Financial Boost and Market Access at SARAS Mela
During the event, described by Naidu as a reflection of "Mini India," significant financial support was unveiled. The CM handed over a cheque of ₹1,375 crore from the Sthree Nidhi Credit Cooperative Federation Limited as loans to SHGs. Simultaneously, he facilitated the release of ₹2,171 crore from the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP).
Naidu stressed that the SARAS Mela provides crucial branding and market support for handicrafts and local food products. He pointed out that with proper marketing, SHG-made goods could generate substantial profits, linking the event's timing to the festive spirit of Sankranti.
Welfare Initiatives and Governance Reforms Highlighted
Beyond economic measures, the Chief Minister outlined key welfare schemes designed to support women and families. These include:
- Talli Ki Vandanam: Financial assistance provided to mothers irrespective of the number of children.
- Deepam 2.0: The promise of three free LPG cylinders annually to eligible households.
- Sthree Shakti: Free travel for women on state-run RTC buses.
On governance, Naidu cited reforms like the Mana Mitra WhatsApp services for easier citizen access to services and the Sanjeevani programme, which aims to provide health coverage to five crore people in the state.
The inauguration was attended by Union Rural Development Junior Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, MSME Minister Kondapalli Srinivas, District Collector Thameem Ansariya, along with several legislators and local leaders.
