New Delhi, Jan 9 (KNN) In rural areas, expansion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are required in order to empower Scheduled Castes (SC), Tribes and women, said N. Amaranatha Reddy, Minister for Industries, Andhra Pradesh.

He said “Empowerment of Scheduled Castes (SC), Tribes and women would be more meaningful only when MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) come to rural areas.”

Inaugurating the Feminy Enterprises, Andhra Pradesh’s first biodegradable sanitary wear manufacturing unit at a cost of Rs 1 crore at Bangarupalem mandal headquarters, the Minister said that the women-friendly industrial unit came up as a vibrant entity to promote rural economy, with focus on women empowerment, in Chittoor district.

“It is a welcome sign that Chittoor district has achieved the number one place in setting up of Standup India units, followed by gradual growth of MSMEs,” he added.

He also reiterated the commitment of the state government to set up MSME parks in all assembly constituencies and potential mandal headquarters.

Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director of Feminy Enterprises, P. Sree Latha said that the main objective of their Standup India unit was to manufacture hygienic and biodegradable sanitary wear.

In the first phase, 50 families from rural areas of Bangarupalem mandal are provided with jobs.

She said the product developed will be made available to the target group in rural areas at affordable prices.

As part of corporate social responsibility, a part of the profits will be allocated to undertake charity works in the district, she added.