CM Revanth Reddy says Telangana is negotiating with Amazon to help women self-help groups access global online markets; also launches Mahila Shakti Saree distribution scheme.

Telangana Eyes Global Market Access for SHGs Through Talks with Amazon

In a major push toward women’s economic empowerment, the Telangana government is in discussions with e-commerce giant Amazon to help self-help groups (SHGs) sell their products online at national and international levels. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said the initiative aims to give SHGs access to a much wider customer base beyond local markets.

During a video conference with district collectors on Wednesday, the CM stated that Indira Mahila Shakti Bazaar is being developed on three acres near Shilparamam to promote locally made products. He added that women’s groups in the state are already successfully running petrol pumps, demonstrating their entrepreneurial potential.

The announcement coincided with the launch of the Mahila Shakti Saree Distribution Scheme, held on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The government plans to distribute sarees to one crore women under the Mahila Unnati–Telangana Pragati scheme. Around 65 lakh sarees will be distributed between November 19 and December 9, with each Assembly constituency assigned a special officer to monitor implementation.

Analysis  By integrating SHGs into global e-commerce platforms, Telangana is attempting to shift from welfare-based support to sustainable income generation. If successful, the collaboration with Amazon could transform SHGs into competitive market participants and replicate models already proving effective in sectors like fuel retail.

Experts believe this strategy could significantly increase rural women’s financial independence, provided there is skill training and logistical support. Touring successful SHG-operated petrol pumps, as advised by the CM, may offer valuable insights for scalability.

As Telangana combines technology with grassroots entrepreneurship, its approach could emerge as a template for women-led economic development across India.