Government of Andhra Pradesh signs MoU for women’s empowerment

VIJAYAWADA: The Government of Andhra Pradesh, on Monday, August 3, signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with ITC Ltd, Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) and Proctor and Gamble (P&G). Through the MoU, the companies will help the state government in efforts to empower women of the state. Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chief Minister, Andhra Pradesh, called it a historic occasion and said that change does not come in a society without the upliftment of the backward and oppressed sections of the society and strengthening of the rural economy. “Today, we are focusing on women’s empowerment and have launched various initiatives to bring about a change in the lives of women,” he said.

The government will launch the YSR Cheyutha on August 12 under which SC, ST and OBC women will get Rs 15,000 yearly for four years to help them become self-reliant and bring about a change in their economic status. Under the scheme, a total of Rs 4,500 crore will be distributed amongst women from different sections of the society. “The tie-ups with the major companies are for hand-holding to bring about a change in their lives,” the Chief Minister explained.

On the other hand, under the YSR Asara scheme, to be launched in September this year, 90 lakh women of nine lakh self-help groups will be benefitted. A woman can avail both the schemes at the same time. The combined budget for the two schemes is Rs 11,000 crore per year. This will compound to Rs 44,000 crore for the four year period of the scheme. 

The MoU were signed in the presence of the cHief Minister by Raja Babu, CEO, Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), on behalf of the state government, along with Joseph Varkay on behal of P&G, Rajnikant Rai for ITC Ltd and Ramakrishna Reddy for HUL. 

Agreeing with the Chief Minister that economic empowerment of women leads to family welfare, HUL Managing Director Sanjeev Mehta said his company has vast experience in manufacturing and marketing consumer goods. The company has been running a programme called Shakti for women’s empowerment in Chittoor district.  “We are happy to work with the government and appreciate the welfare schemes being implemented such a Amma Vodi, welfare of women, farmers, students and others,” he said.

ITC Ltd CMD Sanjeev Puri said, within one year, the Chief Minister has brought about revolutionary reforms in the economic and social sectors with focus on self-reliance of women.

“Agriculture, Manufacturing and Service sectors are our areas of interests. The government has been focusing on the social sector and we can extend our cooperation in watershed programmes, social forestry, health and sanitation and post-harvesting,” he said.

P&G CEO and MD M Gopalan lauded the Chief Minister’s vision and said the company has been helping about 20 lakh students. “We are happy to be part of YSR Cheyutha. It will generate employment opportunities,” he added.