1-Crore Saree Distribution Empowers Women: CM

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy today said that his government had launched the "One Crore Sarees Distribution to One Crore Women" initiative as part of its women empowerment efforts in the State.

Launching the Indiramma saree distribution program on the occasion of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's birth anniversary, the Chief Minister said that the sarees would be distributed to eligible women in two phases as weaving so many sarees needed time: village women would receive sarees in the first phase by December 9, and women in urban areas would get sarees from March 1 to 8, culminating on International Women's Day.

A total of 65 lakh sarees would be distributed in the second phase, he said.

Reddy appealed to women ministers and MLAs to wear the Indiramma sarees and serve as brand ambassadors. He said that every woman legislator needed to wear Indiramma sarees to showcase the self-respect of the women's community.

The CM said that his government had launched several women empowerment schemes inspired by Indira Gandhi. Women's groups were being encouraged to run petrol pump outlets, 1,000 buses had been leased from self-help groups for the TGSRTC, Indiramma houses were being sanctioned in the names of women, political priority was being given to women's empowerment, and plans were underway to help one crore women become millionaires, he said.

Recalling the "yeoman services" rendered by Indira Gandhi, Reddy said that the former Prime Minister took charge when the country was facing a political vacuum and worked to fulfil the aspirations of Dr B R Ambedkar. She played a key role in the nationalisation of banks, introduction of the Agricultural Land Ceiling Act, land distribution to the poor, and construction of houses for the underprivileged, he claimed.

He also said that Gandhi stood strong during the India-Pakistan war and safeguarded the nation, earning recognition for her strong leadership.