Hyderabad: The construction of the new Indira Mahila Shakti Bazaar at Shilparamam, which will house 106 shops, is currently underway and is expected to be ready for inauguration by the first week of December, according to Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari during a review meeting at the Telangana Secretariat on Thursday, November 21.
She explained that the bazaar will offer a platform to market products made by women’s self-help groups from across the state. Officials are also working on collaborating with IT companies and other business organizations to provide financial support for women in cultural and social initiatives.
The Chief Secretary stressed the importance of completing the construction of 22 Indira Mahila Shakti Bhavans within the next eight months to encourage greater participation of women in social and economic activities. Furthermore, a target has been set to establish solar power plants with a combined capacity of 4,000 MW through women’s associations.
The first phase, which involves the installation of a 1,000 MW capacity, will utilize unused government lands on a lease basis. Zero-interest loans will be provided to finance these projects, with Telangana Redco and Vidyut Discoms handling their maintenance.
Additionally, Santhi Kumari outlined plans to procure 600 buses through women’s self-help groups. In the first phase, 150 buses will be purchased, and the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) will oversee their maintenance.
Earlier, the Telangana Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department approved the construction of Indira Mahila Shakti Bhavans at 22 district headquarters to support women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
A government order (GO) was issued to authorize the establishment of these bhavans, aiming to enhance infrastructure and create opportunities for SHGs to empower women by providing facilities that promote economic and social activities.
