The Telangana government is implementing a series of public welfare schemes, collectively known as Abhaya Hastham, aimed at improving the lives of the state’s poorest citizens. Telangana Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka outlined the initiatives during a recent budget speech.
Key Welfare Programs
A central component of the Abhaya Hastham program is the Mahalakshmi scheme, which provides free bus travel for women and girls. Since its implementation, 34 lakh 37 thousand women and girls have utilized the service daily, accumulating 269 crore 68 lakh free journeys and resulting in savings of approximately ₹9,222 crore for riders.
To alleviate the financial burden of cooking gas, the government is offering cylinders at a subsidized rate of Rs.500 each. This has benefitted 42.90 lakh families, saving them around Rs.752 crore.
The Gruhajyothi scheme provides free electricity – up to 200 units – to 53 lakh 9 thousand families. The government has allocated Rs.3,954 crore to power utilities to support this initiative, and 10.97 crore zero-bills have been issued.
Empowering Women Through Self-Help Groups
The Mahila Shakti Mission aims to empower women through economic opportunity, with a goal of turning 1 crore women within the state’s IKP groups into millionaires. The government is working to facilitate bank loans of Rs.1 lakh crore over five years to support this effort.
The VLR scheme has provided an interest subsidy of Rs.1,329 crore to urban and rural self-help groups since December 2023. IKP currently represents a network of 67 lakh women.
To further support self-help groups, the government plans to purchase 600 buses through them and lease the vehicles to TGSRTC. In the first phase, 494 buses were purchased at a cost of Rs.177 crore 84 lakh.
The government also intends to expand the Indira Mahila Shakti Bhavan network, adding 22 more districts to the existing 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Abhaya Hastham program?
Abhaya Hastham is a collection of public welfare schemes implemented by the Telangana government to benefit the state’s poor.
How many women have benefitted from the Mahalakshmi scheme?
34 lakh 37 thousand women and girls in Telangana are travelling free in RTC buses every day under the Mahalakshmi scheme.
What is the goal of the Mahila Shakti Mission?
The Mahila Shakti Mission aims to create 1 crore women in the IKP groups of the State into millionaires.
Will these programs continue to receive funding in future budgets?
