1 week ago
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After a prolonged period of neglect of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) formed for persons with disabilities (PwDs) under the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) has now renewed its focus on empowering the PwDs in Telangana. Acting on the directions of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Dansari Anasuya (Seethakka), SERP has embarked on a State-wide drive to strengthen and expand SHGs for PwDs with the aim of promoting financial independence and social inclusion. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is likely to formally launch the new initiative, according to sources.
The move comes even as the incumbent Congress government recently rolled out the Indira Mahila Shakti (IMS) scheme to support women SHGs in setting up businesses. However, the scheme did not include any PwD-specific measures, prompting the department to design a separate initiative to ensure persons with disabilities are not left out of the State’s self-reliance programmes.
Leadership position for women
According to the officials, more than 50,000 members were enrolled in 4,800 SHGs for PwDs across Telangana. Each group will have at least five members to encourage community bonding and collective decision-making. Both men and women can join, though the leadership positions are being reserved for women with disabilities to promote inclusivity and strengthen their participation in decision-making.
Financial support
The initiative aims to create platforms for PwDs to share experiences, access skill development opportunities, and explore self-employment avenues. The government is also planning to extend bank linkages, revolving funds, and credit facilities to these groups on the lines of women’s SHGs.
Minister Seethakka said the Government’s goal was to enable persons with disabilities to achieve both financial self-reliance and social respect. “We want to empower them through equal opportunities, not by showing sympathy. These SHGs will serve as spaces for mutual support, capacity building, and livelihood generation,” she stated.
Special officers for PwD SHGs
Officials said SERP, which has successfully implemented the IMS model involving women’s groups that collectively mobilise over ₹25,000 crore in bank loans annually, has now appointed special officers to monitor the implementation of PwD SHGs. Revolving funds will soon be deposited into the accounts of the groups, and banks will be encouraged to extend loans to facilitate small businesses and income-generating activities.
Minister Seethakka expressed confidence that the SHGs for the disabled will emerge as strong platforms for self-employment, skill development, and greater social inclusion.
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