AP to give special importance to women's security

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government would give special importance to the security of women and welfare of persons with disabilities and senior citizens, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said here on Thursday.

Naidu held a review on welfare of women and the disabled with Women Empowerment and Child Welfare Minister Peetala Sujata and senior officials.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Sujata quoted Naidu as having said that the state government would give special significance to the security of women and welfare of the disabled and senior citizens. The minister said the government would put up meshes in the state-run Road Transport Corporation (RTC) buses to separate the seats of women and men. It would be made compulsory for owners of auto-rickshaws and taxis to install GPS systems in their vehicles, she said.

Special steps would be taken for the safety of women performing night duties. Girls would be encouraged to join NCC, NSS, Green corps and the 'Swachh Bharat' and 'Swachh Andhra Pradesh' campaigns to promote patriotism and a sense of courage among them, the minister said.

Steps would also be taken to ensure that rape victims get speedy medical treatment and stringent punishment is handed out to the culprits, she said.

Nirbhaya Act would be implemented and tough measures initiated to curb trafficking of women. Old-age homes and others would be established in every revenue division of the state for the welfare of senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The state government has sent proposals to the Centre to set up sports centre for the disabled in Visakhapatnam, a Regional Centre of National Institute for Disabled at Nellore among others, the minister added.

Source: PTI