Telangana Women Petrol Bunks Plan to Empower Self Help Groups Across Districts

• Telangana Women Petrol Bunks will be established in every district under Indira Mahila Shakti scheme.
• Telangana Women Petrol Bunks aim to create employment and entrepreneurship for self help group women.
• Telangana Women Petrol Bunks will be fully managed and operated by women federations.

The Telangana government has taken a major step towards women empowerment by planning to establish women petrol bunks across the state. The initiative aims to transform women from self help groups into entrepreneurs while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Under the Indira Mahila Shakti scheme the government intends to set up women petrol bunks in every district. These petrol bunks will be managed and operated entirely by women federations which will help them gain financial independence and business experience.

District administrations have been instructed to identify suitable government land for the project. The land will be allotted on a long term lease of thirty years and proposals will be forwarded to the MEPMA organisation for further processing. Once implemented the project is expected to generate respectable employment opportunities for many women.

Funds for establishing the petrol bunks will be mobilised through Area Level Federations Town Level Federations and district level women groups. These federations will also coordinate with oil marketing companies to obtain required approvals and ensure compliance with legal metrology rules related to fuel measurement and distribution.

The government is also planning to provide special training to women groups so that they can independently manage the petrol bunks. This training will include operational management financial handling and technical knowledge required for running fuel stations.

Traditionally petrol bunks have been dominated by men but the new initiative aims to change that trend. By running petrol bunks women will gain confidence and stronger economic participation in both rural and urban areas.

In addition to fuel services the government is also exploring the idea of setting up small retail outlets near the petrol bunks. These outlets will sell products made by women self help groups allowing them to expand their income sources and strengthen community development.