Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy launched YSR Aasara Scheme on Friday to empower women socially and economically. Jagan Mohan Reddy in a virtual meeting with all district Collectors and some of the beneficiaries said that during his 3, 648 km Padayatra he had seen how the DWACRA groups were cheated and he had promised to clear their dues on April 11^th, 2019 in four installments and kept his word by releasing the first installment on Friday.

Jagan Mohan Reddy released Rs. 6, 792 crores towards the first installment of the total due of Rs. 27, 169 crores to banks of 87, 74, 674 women belonging to 8.7 lakhs SHGs in a virtual meeting with District Collectors and some of the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries will have full freedom on how they would like to utilize the amount and there are no restrictions or compulsions, he said. For those who intend to invest the money, and make use of the business opportunities, SERP (Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty) and Mission for Elimination of Poverty and in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) will coordinate in the process, he added.

Interacting with the beneficiary women, he said that the YSRCP Government has been giving priority to women empowerment and welfare programme starts from pregnant women to old age. Aiming to provide nutritious food for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children aged below six years, the State Government introduced YSR Sampoorna Poshana.

Jagan said that the state has introduced Amma Vodi scheme for children studying from class I to Intermediate, where Rs. 15K will be directly transferred to the accounts of mother annually for sending their children to schools, benefitting over 43 lakhs mothers. Providing financial support for middle-aged women, the State Government introduced the Cheyutha Scheme, where the women between 45-60 years belonging to SC, ST, BC and Minorities will be receiving Rs. 18, 750 annually for a period of four years, he added.

The state has signed MoUs with ITC, Procter & Gamble, HUL, Amul and Reliance besides banks and those interested can have training, technical transfer, marketing, loan and other facilities to set up cottage, petty, small and medium business units.