Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh home minister Mekathoti Sucharita, who assumed office in state secretariat on Sunday (June 16), thanked YS Jaganmohan Reddy for having faith in a Dalit woman and handing over an important responsibility to her.

Mekathoti Sucharita is the first woman minister from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community from Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. Prathipadu Assembly constituency is an SC reserved constituency in Guntur, representing the state legislative assembly in India.

In the 17th Lok Sabha elections, Sucharita defeated Telugu Desam Party (TDP) candidate Dokka Manikya Vara Prasad.

Ahead of assuming the office, she offered prayers related to all religions. Sucharita has become the first woman Dalit Minister to join the cabinet of 24 ministers.

She assured that strict action would be taken on those who harass women in any way, and reportedly said that required acts would be taken to safeguard women.

Declaring that ragging and harassment would be swept away from the state, Sucharita said that steps would be taken so that the women can directly go and complain in any police station and said, "a special toll-free number will be set up for women’s safety."

She also said that weekly offs will be implemented for police persons and expressed readiness to form four battalions, including women and tribals.

Sucharita observed that women constables are facing many problems due to lack of facilities, and she would give priority to their welfare.