Hyderabad: Telangana govt on Thursday launched the Intintaa Indiramma Sewing Machines scheme, under which 1.19 lakh BC women will be provided automatic sewing machines free of cost to promote self-employment and financial independence. Transport and BC welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar launched the scheme at the Secretariat.Under the first phase, 1,000 automatic sewing machines will be distributed in each of the state’s 119 assembly constituencies, taking the total number of beneficiaries to 1.19 lakh.Each machine is valued at ₹12,000 and will be provided on 100% subsidy, with beneficiaries not required to bear any financial burden.Applications from eligible BC women will be accepted from Aug 15 to Sept 15. The scheme is aimed at helping women interested in tailoring take up self-employment and earn an income from home.Priority will be given, as per eligibility guidelines, to women from economically weaker backgrounds, widows, single women, homeless persons, orphans, persons with disabilities and those with prior experience in tailoring.Ponnam said the beneficiary selection process would be carried out transparently in accordance with govt guidelines. Training in the use of the sewing machines will also be provided.
