Amaravati, Nov 13 (IANS): Andhra Pradesh government has credited Rs 510 crore to 2.72 lakh eligible women beneficiaries under YSR Cheyutha second phase on Thursday.

Cheyutha scheme offers financial assistance to women in the age bracket of 45 - 60 years from scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), backward classes (BC) and minorities.

Panchayat Raj Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy said Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy redefined welfare and empowerment for women by implementing a multiplicity of schemes.

"Previous governments had provided welfare initiatives only for women in the age group of 25-45 years or pension support to elderly women but never considered to support middle-aged women," Ramachandra Reddy observed.

He said Reddy filled this vacuum with Cheyutha.

In the first phase, the state government credited Rs 18,750 each as financial assistance to 21 lakh beneficiaries, releasing Rs 3,938 crore.

"The CM had asked all those who were left out in the first phase to apply within a month, and now all those eligible women are provided with the financial assistance," he noted about the second phase.

In total, 23.7 lakh women benefited through Cheuyutha worth Rs 4,448 crore.

Municipal Administration Minister Botsa Satyanarayana said the government also took the responsibility of empowering women by turning them into entrepreneurs, encouraging them to set up small scale industries.

"In regard to this, the state government made pacts with top companies like ITC, Amul, Reliance and Procter & Gamble and coordinated with banks for granting loans to give a helping hand to women entrepreneurs," he pointed out.

He urged the women to use the money for economic empowerment.