The Telangana government has launched the ‘Intintaa Indiramma Sewing Machines’ scheme aimed at promoting economic self-reliance and self-employment among BC women.
Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar formally launched the scheme at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Secretariat on Thursday. The initiative will provide 1.19 lakh automatic sewing machines to eligible BC women across all 119 Assembly constituencies in the state.
Under the scheme, 1,000 sewing machines will be distributed in each constituency. Each machine is valued at ₹12,000 and will be provided to beneficiaries with 100% government subsidy, ensuring no financial burden on the recipients.
Applications will be accepted from August 15 to September 15.
The government will give priority to economically weaker women, widows, single women, homeless women, orphans, women with disabilities and those who have experience or interest in tailoring. Beneficiary selection will be carried out transparently as per government guidelines, and necessary training in operating the machines will also be provided.
Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the objective is to enable BC women to earn an income from home through tailoring and transform them from beneficiaries of welfare schemes into self-employed women entrepreneurs.
He added that the government plans to expand the scheme in the future to benefit more BC women.
The minister also appealed to BC representatives, community organisations and leaders to participate in large numbers in the upcoming unveiling of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule statues on August 14 and the unveiling of Sardar Sarvai Papanna Goud’s statue on August 18.
The programme was attended by government advisers, MLAs, government whips, BC Welfare Department officials and representatives of various community corporations.