YS Jagan Mohan Reddy did not see Andhra Pradesh’s women merely as voters — he considered them Partners. The biggest beneficiaries of his schemes were women — and this was no coincidence.
Velugu SHGs — Self Help Groups — are the backbone of Andhra Pradesh. Jagan gave them greater support, credit linkages were strengthened, and proper training was provided. Lakhs of women entered the formal economy — with their identification, with loans in their name.
Jagan also launched the Chandranna Pelli Kanuka scheme — where poor people used to pay bribes. Under YSR Kalyanamastu, he sent ₹1 lakh directly to the bride’s bank account.
Another revolutionary decision — Jagan helped DWCRA groups market coconut oil, cloth, and products. Under the YSRCP government, Stree Nidhi credit cooperative provided crores of rupees in lending — women-only, no harassment, doorstep service.
Women leaders also emerged under Jagan. Women’s reservation in panchayats was set at 50%. This was not symbolic — it was real power distribution.