Hyderabad: Putting aside all the criticism over not having woman representation in the TRS Cabinet, Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has assured the House that there would be two women ministers in the state Cabinet.

Responding to a question by the opposition party in the Assembly, KCR said: “There will be two women in the Cabinet very soon in the next expansion. We’re supporting woman representation in every sector. Our TRS government is committed to woman empowerment. In the recent announcement of four MLC candidates, we have accommodated one woman. Second phase of Cabinet expansion will have six more ministers including two woman.”

KCR said that with 119 Assembly seats, Telangana state can have maximum 17 ministers in the Cabinet. Including chief minister, TRS government has already 11 ministers on board leaving space for six more slots. Though KCR didn’t confirm the date of next Cabinet expansion, it’s speculated that after Lok Sabha elections, TRS government will induct six more ministers including two woman as the chief minister assured the House.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has accommodated two woman ministers in his Cabinet. Out of the 25 ministers on board, Andhra Pradesh TDP government has two woman ministers — Parital Sunitha and Bhuma Akhila Priya.

It may be recalled that late Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy-led Congress government in the united AP had six women.

Coming back to KCR, the chief minister has further stated that as part of women empowerment, the government has decided to increase interest-free loan amount to Rs10 lakh. “We got more number of votes from women voters. Without women support, we wouldn’t have retained the power. We respect women a lot. We’re also considering a proposal of entrusting food processing units to women self-help groups,” added KCR.