The Telangana government on Saturday launched e-autos for 14 neighbourhood centres as part of its efforts to strengthen welfare services for persons with disabilities marking the birth anniversary of Helen Keller.

Inaugurating the e-autos at Jyotirao Phule Praja Bhavan, Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Dansari Anasuya, popularly known as Seethakka, said the newly launched e-autos would address transportation challenges faced by families and ensure free doorstep transport for children requiring regular therapy and training, particularly those with autism and intellectual disabilities.

She also announced that the government would further strengthen neighbourhood centres and establish new facilities wherever necessary to ensure that disability-related services are available closer to people’s homes.

Stating that the government views persons with disabilities as equal partners in society rather than as recipients of charity, the Minister said the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), which has been playing a key role in women’s empowerment for over two decades, had also been entrusted with disability welfare initiatives. More than 13,000 Self-Help Groups (SHG) of persons with disabilities (PwD), with a membership exceeding 82,000, have been formed across the State under the aegis of SERP, she said.

According to the Minister, loans amounting to ₹38.16 crore have been extended through Stree Nidhi, while village-level women’s organisations have facilitated loans worth ₹4.13 crore. Savings of ₹11.62 crore have also been mobilised, besides creating livelihood opportunities for 2,248 persons.

Ms. Seethakka said the Community Managed Rehabilitation Services programme was currently being implemented through 74 neighbourhood centres spread across 26 districts. The centres are providing physiotherapy, speech therapy, special education, counselling and skill development services to nearly 3,000 children with disabilities.

Special Chief Secretary, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, Dana Kishore, SERP CEO Divya Devarajan, Director of SERP’s disability welfare division L. Krishnamurthy, representatives of Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) and others attended the programme.