Hyderabad: Rural Development and Women Empowerment Showing Promising Results in Telangana
The State government of Telangana has launched several initiatives aimed at improving rural development and empowering women. These efforts, led by the State Panchayat Raj Department, are yielding positive outcomes, particularly in uplifting women and enhancing the living standards in villages.
Under the leadership of Minister Seethakka, the Panchayat and Rural Development Department has become a key player in rural transformation. One of the standout programs, ‘Swachhadanam-Pachchadanam,’ focuses on cleanliness, greenery, and improving livelihoods in villages. Nearly 1.57 crore people have participated in this initiative. As part of the program, sanitation efforts, including cleaning roads and drains, and mosquito control measures, have been successfully implemented.
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has also played a significant role in supporting rural communities. Over 13.67 crore workdays were generated, benefiting 40.1 lakh laborers, who received a total of Rs 2,835.37 crore in wages. Additionally, desilting work was completed in 26,231 tanks at a cost of Rs 846 crore, increasing their storage capacity.
Environmental initiatives have also been prioritized. As part of the Van Mahotsav program, 6.99 crore saplings were planted, including fruit trees like mango and lemon. Tree plantations along ponds, as well as neem and mulberry plantations, were successfully carried out. These efforts benefited 7,306 small and marginal farmers, covering 13,063 acres. Moreover, Rs 20.99 crore was allocated to 18,812 beneficiaries for constructing personal toilets.
The Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) has played a key role in women’s empowerment. The government identified 17 types of businesses under the Indira Mahila Shakti program to promote women entrepreneurship. Women were given leadership opportunities in solar power generation, with 1,000 MW solar power plants being established under their guidance. Additionally, interest-free loans worth Rs 21,466 crore were provided to women, along with Rs 2,022 crore in loans through the Women’s Fund to encourage business ventures.
For the first time in Telangana’s history, a loan and accident insurance scheme has been implemented for women’s associations, with Rs 40 crore allocated for this initiative this year. The government also handed over 150 RTC rental buses to women’s associations in the first phase, with plans to allocate an additional 450 buses in the future. Agreements with the RTC have already been finalized.
Another significant step is the construction of Indira Mahila Shakti Bhavans in 22 districts. A total of Rs 110 crore, at Rs 5 crore per building, has been sanctioned for this project. Women from self-help groups were also given the responsibility of stitching school uniforms, with sewing charges increased from Rs 50 to Rs 75 per set.
These initiatives highlight the State government’s commitment to rural development and empowering women, creating a positive impact across Telangana.
