MSME and SERP Minister Kondapalli Srinivas | Photo credit: File photo
MSME and SERP Minister Kondapalli Srinivas said the government has earmarked ₹1,877 crore for implementing rural poverty alleviation programs through the Rural Poverty Eradication Society for the financial year 2026-27.
The allocation is ₹143 crore higher than the previous year and reflects the government’s commitment to empowering women in self-help groups and strengthening rural livelihoods.
In a press release, Mr. Srinivas said that ₹465 crore has been earmarked for salaries and honorarium of SERP staff, external staff and village assistants, besides maintenance of SERP and DRDA offices.
He said that National Rural Livelihood Mission Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana has been allocated ₹818 crore, Village Start-Up Program ₹72 crore, Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana ₹30 crore and Rural Self-Employment Educational Institutes ₹15 crore.
Mr. Srinivas noted that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had proposed an increase in the SERP budget by up to ₹ 1,200 crore, depending on the actual allocations received by the State under the National Rural Livelihood Mission.
He said the government is focusing on improving the livelihood of SHG members and creating sustainable employment opportunities with a total proposed expenditure of ₹3,000 crore in 2026-27.
Efforts are underway to transform about five million women into entrepreneurs under the One Family One Entrepreneur initiative and to strengthen farmers’ organizations, he added.
Published – 15 Feb 2026 19:21 IST