Telangana Launches Free E-Auto Services for Disabled Children at Praja Bhavan

On Saturday, the Telangana government launched free e-auto services for 14 neighbourhood centres at the Jyotirao Phule Praja Bhavan in Telangana. Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Dansari Anasuya, popularly known as Seethakka, inaugurated the vehicles to provide free doorstep transportation for children with autism and intellectual disabilities who require regular therapy and training. The launch took place on the birth anniversary of Helen Keller.

The newly launched e-autos aim to address the persistent transportation challenges faced by families of children with disabilities. Minister Seethakka stated that the government plans to further strengthen these neighbourhood centres and establish new facilities across the state to ensure that essential disability-related services are accessible closer to people's homes.

According to the Minister, the state government views persons with disabilities as equal partners in society rather than as recipients of charity. To support this vision, the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), which has worked in women's empowerment for over two decades, has been entrusted with managing these disability welfare initiatives.

Under the guidance of SERP, more than 13,000 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for persons with disabilities have been formed across Telangana, comprising over 82,000 members.

The Minister highlighted the financial support provided to these initiatives, noting that loans amounting to Rs 38.16 crore have been extended through Stree Nidhi. Additionally, village-level women's organisations have facilitated loans worth Rs 4.13 crore, and savings of Rs 11.62 crore have been mobilised. These efforts have successfully created livelihood opportunities for 2,248 individuals.

Currently, the Community Managed Rehabilitation Services programme operates through 74 neighbourhood centres across 26 districts in Telangana. These centres provide vital services, including physiotherapy, speech therapy, special education, counselling, and skill development, to nearly 3,000 children with disabilities.

The inauguration event was attended by several key officials, including Special Chief Secretary of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Dana Kishore, SERP CEO Divya Devarajan, and Director of SERP's disability welfare division L. Krishnamurthy, along with representatives from the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL).