Sthree Tea: Blending chai Khammam style, thanks to women SHGs

Khammam: Next time when you are traveling to Khammam and other parts of the district, make sure to drop at Sthree Tea kiosk on the roadside and have a cup of tea.

You might be wondering what is special about Sthree Tea. The Self-Help Group (SHG) woman runs these Sthree Tea kiosks. District Collector Muzammil Khan proposed the concept to transform SHG women into entrepreneurs through the Indira Mahila Shakti Scheme.

22 Sthree Tea Kiosks in operation

Currently, 22 Sthree Tea Kiosks have been set up throughout the district, and plans are underway to take up the number to 300 by June. Under the initiative, a woman from any SHG group would operate the kiosk, which was outfitted with basic culinary utensils such as a stove, gas cylinder, and other refreshments.

A few kiosks are also outfitted with a furnished space, shelves, and equipment such as freezers, depending on the available space and the location where it is being operated. Experts from Hyderabad trained the women on a variety of topics, including entrepreneurship, laws, tax payments, and business maintenance.

When NewsMeter did a ground-level inspection of the kiosks in Khammam, one specific establishment stood out even to the untrained eye. The kiosk is styled in crimson with a Tea Cup emblem on it, catching the attention of passersby. The women made sure that everything they sold was clean and of high quality. Word spread about the kiosks, and they soon had a loyal customer base.

Homemaker becomes entrepreneur

P Rajeswari, a Venkatayapalem local, was a housewife a few months ago but is now one of the successful SHG women who run the Sthree Tea kiosks in Khammam. Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Deputy Chief Minister, opened the kiosk and bus shelter in October 2024.

"Despite having a tea stall in my hamlet, I didn't make much money. I opened a tea kiosk at the Collectorate when Muzammil Khan gave me the opportunity. With the kiosk, I can now provide work possibilities for needy women. I borrowed Rs 1.50 lakh to set up the shop and paid an EMI of Rs 6,000. I am currently earning between Rs 10,000 and 15,000 per month by operating the kiosk," Rajeswari said.

According to Sri Rangam Geetha, another SHG member, her tea kiosk opened on January 4 in Jalagam Nagar, Khammam Rural. "At my kiosk right now, I sell tea, coffee, and ginger tea. Once the power supply connection is made, I intend to start selling dairy products. The kiosk's everyday operations are gradually getting better. Recently, even the Collector stopped by my stall, sampled the tea, and encouraged me to continue. After deducting the investment and EMI, I made Rs 50,000 in the first month," she added.

CCTV cameras installed in kiosks for women's safety

Shaik Rehana Begum, who pursued an Intermediate, also running a Sthree Tea kiosk at Bonakal, said that she had invested Rs 1.50 lakh for the establishment of the facility. “The kiosk is located beside the MPDO office. People from all walks of the society are stepping in to have a sip of Tea and purchase some refreshments. I also installed a CCTV camera in the kiosk for women's safety and to prevent untoward incidents as youth in several numbers gather before the kiosk. I thank the Collector for coming up with the initiative to provide a livelihood for the youth,” she said.

Varalakshmi, who established a kiosk in Konijerla Mandal, stated, "Previously, I worked as an agricultural labourer and raised cattle for a living. After learning about the Collector's effort, I obtained a loan of Rs 1.50 lakh and established the kiosk. I intend to develop the business over the summer by selling coconut water, cool drinks, and dairy items." She also asked the Collector to launch more initiatives like this to help women become entrepreneurs.

Speaking to NewsMeter, Muzammil Khan said, “I intend to make SHG women entrepreneurs. Taking the initiative further, I interacted with concerned departments to design a logo and brand for the business model. In the first phase, we have decided to establish 41 Sthree Tea Kiosks across the district, out of which 22 are grounded. The first kiosk was opened before the Collectorate. Buoyed by the response from the public, as many as 10 kiosks were set up in Khammam Municipal Corporation and the remaining in various mandals across the district.”

Informing the procedures followed in identifying the SHG women for the initiative, Khan said that only a single woman in the SHG group was given a chance to set up the kiosk through providing a bank loan of Rs 1.50 lakh based on the eligibility and interest of the woman. Apart from that, the officials also verified the background of the woman, whether she had been in business or related activities before.

After identifying the woman as an eligible candidate to set up the kiosk, she would be guided by the experts for at least two months about the business model and methods to be followed in taking forward the initiative. In the next step, the officials would identify a suitable location where the government lands are available and also consider the public movement such as bus stops, markets, and other commercial areas to set up the kiosks.

“We will also examine the functioning of the kiosks and profits earned by the SHG women for at least three months and guide them about the steps to be taken to expand their business about sale of products and their quality maintenance,” he said, and added that around 25 per cent of the kiosks earmarked for the differently abled SHG woman.

At present, 13 Sthree Tea Kiosks are ready for inauguration in the Khammam district. Among them, three would be set up in the city and the remaining in various mandals across the district. The kiosks would be inaugurated after the completion of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force for the MLC elections in the district, the Collector said.