Telangana Launches Spandana Response Teams to Bolster Women and Child Safety

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy unveiled Spandana response teams on Monday at the Integrated Command and Control Centre, marking a fresh push to enhance protective mechanisms for women and children across Telangana.

The launch event drew participation from Minister Seethakka, DGP Jitender, and Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand.

Round-the-Clock Support Framework

Addressing attendees, the Chief Minister underscored that safeguarding women and children constitutes a fundamental obligation of governance. He highlighted that societies investing in this domain tend to advance more rapidly on development indices.

Revanth Reddy recalled India's post-Independence decision to extend voting rights to women, framing this as evidence of the nation's early commitment to gender equality. He noted that Telangana already operates SHE Teams and the "Stand With Her" programme. The Spandana response teams will now complement these efforts by delivering continuous psychological and institutional assistance to women in crisis situations.

The initiative seeks to instil confidence among women by demonstrating government commitment during their moments of vulnerability, the Chief Minister stated.

Women's Empowerment as Development Priority

Positioning women's empowerment as central to Telangana's growth trajectory, Revanth Reddy outlined the state's multifaceted approach. The government allocates Indiramma houses exclusively in women's names and channels economic support through various welfare schemes.

To date, the state has disbursed ₹60,000 crore in bank loans benefiting 67 lakh Self-Help Group women. The government distributed Indiramma sarees to one crore women and invested ₹10,000 crore on free bus travel for women aged 28 and above over a 28-month period.

The state procured 1,000 buses for self-help groups and leased them to the Regional Transport Corporation. Additionally, authorities allocated 1,000 MW of solar projects to women's groups. SHG members now operate Indiramma canteens within government offices, while the state has developed dedicated infrastructure for these groups across all districts.

The Chief Minister pointed to women-run petrol bunks in Narayanpet as an example of entrepreneurial success. He also highlighted that women's organisations manage 26,000 government schools and manufacture uniforms for 26 lakh students.

Linking Safety to Economic Ambitions

Revanth Reddy referenced Women Shakti stalls near Hitech City and a partnership with Amazon to facilitate market access for women entrepreneurs' products.

Anchoring women's safety within Telangana's economic vision, he noted the state's target to achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2034 and a $3 trillion economy by 2047. These ambitious goals, he stressed, depend critically on ensuring women's safety and enabling their full participation in the economy.

The Chief Minister expressed concern about substance abuse as a driver of crimes targeting women and children. The government established the Eagle Force specifically to combat such offences. He emphasised that enforcement remains uncompromising, extending even to individuals of influence, and called for strengthening peace committees to address drug-related challenges.

Revanth Reddy advocated for preventive strategies, including awareness campaigns and student self-declarations pledging abstinence from drug use. He reiterated the government's resolve to pursue criminals without regard to social status, pledging zero tolerance for lawlessness.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that Telangana will establish itself as a benchmark state for women's safety. He unveiled the Spandana poster during the event.