Since Telangana’s formation, the state government has provided loans worth Rs 85,000 crore to women Self-Help Groups, established She Teams, and provided financial assistance worth over Rs 10,000 crore through Kalyana Lakshmi, while Rs 1,176 crore has been spent on the implementation of the KCR Kits distribution scheme.
These initiatives represent the Telangana government’s efforts to ensure the welfare and empowerment of women in the state. These programs were shown appreciation by different organizations, especially NITI Aayog in prioritizing women’s health and well-being.
SHGs assistance
Self-Help Groups (SHGs) play an important role in women’s empowerment, and facilitating bank linkages has instilled new confidence in many women, in addition to promoting entrepreneurship skills. The amount disbursed to SHGs in rural areas has tripled from Rs 3,738.67 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 12,684.59 crore by 2022-23.
So far, 1,458.97 crore has been allocated to 18,680 SHGs in urban areas. In the state, there are 4.31 lakh SHGs with over 46 lakh members. The Telangana government has made it a top priority to provide interest-free loans to SHGs.
Prior to the formation of the state, successive governments extended interest-free loans totaling Rs 21,978 crore. In the eight years since the Telangana government took power, loans worth Rs 66,624 crore were given to the SHGs.
She-Teams for Women’s Safety
Emphasizing women’s safety, the State government established the Women Safety Wing, led by an Additional Director General of Police, for the first time in the country, and took steps to boost women’s self-confidence.
She Teams, Bharosa Centre, She Bharosa Cyber Lab, Prevention of Human Trafficking, and Operation Smile, Muskan were also introduced and effectively implemented as part of this.
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Women can file complaints directly or indirectly at the six Bharosa Centres, including Hyderabad, Vikarabad, Warangal, Sangareddy, Nalgonda and Suryapet.
In addition to these, the police department is initiating measures to set up more centres in Medchal Malkajgiri, Medak, Khammam and Karimnagar districts apart from in the Old City and in the Cyberabad and Rachakonda Police Commissionerates.
Kalyana Lakshmi/Shadi Mubarak Scheme
To control child marriages and provide financial assistance to SC, ST, and minority families for child marriages, the Telangana government launched the Kalyana Lakshmi or Shadi Mubarak scheme.
Women over the age of 18 may apply for financial assistance for their wedding expenses. Following the implementation of this scheme, not only was the percentage of child marriages reduced, but women’s literacy improved as well.
2.4 lakh SC, 1.5 lakh ST, 5.9 lakh BC, and 2.4 lakh minority families have benefited from the scheme as of January 2023. Brides from SC, ST, and minority families received approximately Rs. 10,000 crores in government financial assistance through this scheme.
KCR Kits
Telangana is the country’s only state that is implementing the KCR Kits distribution scheme. The government provides 15 types of items required for baby health care under this initiative, which was launched on June 2, 2017, to address nutritional and immunization deficiencies.
The scheme has benefited 13,29,951 women to date, with the government spending Rs.1,176 crores. More importantly, the scheme has aided in increasing institutional deliveries from 30% to 62% as a result of its effective implementation.
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