Telangana launches e-autos for neighbourhood centres supporting persons with disabilities
Hyderabad: The Telangana government launched e-autos for 14 neighbourhood centres to strengthen transport and rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities. Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, Women and Child Welfare Minister Danasari Anasuya Seethakka said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to providing equal opportunities instead of sympathy.
The minister flagged off the Telangana e-autos on the birth anniversary of Helen Keller. She said the government aimed to expand education, employment, rehabilitation and livelihood opportunities under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
Telangana e-autos improve disability services
Seethakka said the government entrusted the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) with additional responsibility for disability welfare. She said SERP would continue its women’s empowerment programmes alongside the new role.
She said the state had formed more than 13,000 self-help groups for persons with disabilities. These groups now have over 82,000 members.
The minister said Stree Nidhi had provided loans worth ₹38.16 crore. Village women’s organisations extended another ₹4.13 crore in loans. Members also built savings of ₹11.62 crore. The programme created livelihood opportunities for 2,248 beneficiaries.
Community Managed Rehabilitation Services now operate through 74 neighbourhood centres in 26 districts. Nearly 3,000 children receive physiotherapy, speech therapy, special education, counselling and skill development. Parents also receive training, counselling and information on government welfare schemes.
The minister said the Telangana e-autos would offer free transport from beneficiaries’ homes to neighbourhood centres. She said the service would help children with autism, intellectual disabilities and other conditions attend therapy regularly.
Seethakka said the government had allocated a dedicated budget for disability welfare. It also introduced tricycles, livelihood assistance, self-help groups and neighbourhood centres. She thanked Indian Oil Corporation Limited for supporting the initiative through CSR funds.
She added that the government would strengthen neighbourhood centres across the state. It would also open new centres where required. The expansion would bring disability services closer to more families.