HYDERABAD: Telangana state women’s commission’s newly appointed chairperson V Sunitha Laxma Reddy and six other members assumed office in the city on Friday.
After a gap of 2.5 years and huge hue and cry by social activists, the Telangana government appointed the chairperson and members of the women’s commission on December 27. Reddy was the former minister for women and child welfare in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh.
The new members took charge in the presence of state information technology and municipal administration and urban development minister K Taraka Rama Rao who urged the commission to be tough in dealing with crimes against women.
“A dedicated emergency number 181 will be functional for women to register their complaints. From domestic violence to discrimination against women, we will be taking up every case for quick disposal,” said Reddy, adding that special women’s courts should be there for which she will strive hard.
181 will not only act as an emergency number but will also connect women to Sakhi centers established in all the districts. The women’s commission will be working closely with the Bharosa centers and Sakhi centers. “Women’s commission duties are not just limited to reacting and resolving women’s issues but also to suggest the government on policy making and rules that are in the interest of women at large,” said D Divya, special chief secretary to the government (women development and child welfare). The women and child welfare department is the second largest after the police department with a total 70,000 employees working in it, including the Anganwadi workers.