CityLightBuzz: Repalle Self-Help Group member G. Jejamma shares her entrepreneurial journey with CM Chandrababu Naidu
Repalle: Responding to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s call to women to effectively utilise Self-Help Group (SHG) loans for financial independence and economic empowerment, DWCRA member G. Jejamma and her husband G. Srinivasa Rao shared their success story with the Chief Minister.
The couple explained how they established and successfully expanded a grocery store with the support of a DWCRA group linkage loan.
According to Srinivasa Rao, they started a small grocery shop in February 2025 with an initial investment of ₹1 lakh. In June 2025, they received a ₹2 lakh DWCRA group linkage loan, which helped them expand the business and strengthen their operations.
CM Encourages Women Entrepreneurs
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu encouraged women to make effective use of DWCRA loans and government incentives to start small businesses and gradually expand them into sustainable enterprises. The Chief Minister participated in the NTR Bharosa pension distribution programme under the Pedala Panduga initiative in the Repalle Assembly constituency of Bapatla district. During his visit, he toured Sri Lakshmi Kirana General Store in Ward No. 4 of Repalle and interacted with Jejamma and other Self-Help Group women. He enquired about their businesses, experiences, challenges and future plans.
Focus on Digital Business Opportunities
The Chief Minister also enquired about the women’s awareness and use of WhatsApp Business for managing and expanding their enterprises, highlighting the importance of digital tools in strengthening small businesses.
Later, Chandrababu Naidu distributed an old-age pension to Venkata Rao, father of Srinivasa Rao. He also posed for a photograph with the Self-Help Group women.
Several DWCRA women shared their business ideas and future plans with the Chief Minister. Chandrababu Naidu encouraged them to explore opportunities across different sectors and pursue self-employment to strengthen their financial independence.
The initiative highlights how SHG and DWCRA financial support can help women and families start small businesses, expand their livelihoods and move towards greater economic empowerment
