SWAYAM outlet for ladies SHG products wanted in Bhogapuram airport

MSME Minister Kondapalli Srinivas during a meeting with Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi on Tuesday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

In a bid to boost women entrepreneurship in Andhra Pradesh, Minister of State for MSME Kondapalli Srinivas on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) urged the Center to extend more financial and institutional support to women self-help groups (SHGs) under the Prime Minister’s Formalization of Micro Food Enterprises (PMFME) programme.

During a meeting with Union Food Industry Minister Avinash Prakash Joshi and Joint Secretary Devesh Deval in New Delhi, the minister suggested that subsidies for PMFME units set up through Stree Nidhi loans be credited directly to the Stree Nidhi account.

He sought to extend the interest subsidy under the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to PMFME loans sanctioned through Stree Nidhi to women SHG entrepreneurs.

The Minister asked the Center to recognize District and Mandal Federations of Self Help Groups as District Resource Organizations (DROs) under the PMFME scheme to provide training, mentoring and support to women entrepreneurs.

Officials responded positively and assured that the proposals, including direct release of subsidies and interest relief, would be considered on a priority basis.

Mr. Srinivas said enhanced central support would help expand the reach of the PMFME program in rural Andhra Pradesh and create better employment and income opportunities for women SHGs in the food processing sector.

Later, the Minister met Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu and representatives of GMR Airports to request allotment of a dedicated retail outlet for marketing products under the SWAYAM brand, manufactured by women SHGs, at the upcoming Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram.

He said the outlet will ensure global visibility and better market access for products made by rural women entrepreneurs.

The Union Minister and the GMR management assured cooperation in setting up a sales stand at the airport.

Published – 22 Jul 2026 11:17 IST