Telangana to boost PwD employment: unique recruitment model in the offing

With a view to leaving no section of society behind in its path to attaining an ambitious $3 trillion economy by 2047, the Telangana government is set to take a slew of measures for the welfare and development of persons with disabilities (PwD). In a significant initiative, the government is going to develop a distinctive recruitment model to improve PwD employment rates by scientifically identifying and documenting new job roles through a State-level task force.

According to the Telangana Rising 2047 vision document, which is to be unveiled at the Global Summit on December 8 and 9, major initiatives include enrolling eligible PwDs into self-help groups (SHGs) and helping them receive financial support and other services.

While there are 60,806 members in 9,248 SHGs for PwDs under the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) in the State, the State government plans to strengthen and expand PwD SHGs with reserved leadership for women with disabilities, continuous capacity-building, and peer-support platforms at village, mandal and district levels.

A senior official stated that 58,516 PwDs were identified during a special drive recently. “We are targeting to enroll at least 50% of them into exclusive PwD SHGs by December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities,” he said, adding that they had enrolled 12,208 PwDs with 3,147 groups since August 4, 2025.

The members of the SHGs for PwDs will receive bank linkages, revolving funds and credit guarantees, enabling them to have sustainable self-employment, micro-enterprises and participation in State livelihood missions. The government also plans to strengthen and streamline services at the 74 neighbourhood centres in the State.

The State will establish a dedicated corpus fund to ensure every PwD receives automatic, comprehensive insurance coverage, with premiums pre-paid by the State. It is also planning to promote everyday fitness, physiotherapy, mobility and rehabilitation opportunities through Corporate Social Responsibility funding.

Additionally, the State will introduce tele-counselling and peer network support for parents raising children with disabilities, providing continuous emotional, legal, and community support. This includes confidential tele-counselling support to address caregiver burnout and actionable strategies for emotional distress.

Parents will also be connected to peer support groups through district resource centres, enabling collective problem-solving and emotional reassurance through shared experiences. The State will introduce compassionate safeguards and legal protections to ensure no parent is subjected to insensitive treatment or emotional harassment due to a child’s disability.

Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka) said the SHGs for PwDs will serve as spaces for mutual support, capacity building and livelihood generation.