Congress and BRS Engage in Heated Assembly Debate Over Welfare Schemes
In a contentious session of the Telangana Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, leaders from the ruling Congress party and the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) exchanged sharp accusations and counterclaims regarding the implementation and effectiveness of various welfare schemes in the state. The debate centered primarily on financial support for women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and benefits for farmers, revealing deep political divisions.
Congress Defends Its Record on Women's Empowerment
Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka presented a robust defense of the Congress government's initiatives, asserting that substantial financial support has been provided to women across Telangana. He claimed that over ₹20,000 crore is being deposited annually into the accounts of women through interest-free loan schemes facilitated by Self-Help Groups. According to Vikramarka, the cumulative amount credited to women's accounts has reached an impressive ₹57,000 crore since the program's inception.
Vikramarka also addressed agricultural benefits, stating that farmers are receiving approximately ₹25,000 each through a paddy bonus scheme, which he positioned as a superior alternative to the previous Rythu Bharosa program. "Recognizing the hard work of our farmers, a bonus of ₹500 per quintal is being deposited directly into the accounts of those cultivating fine paddy," he explained. The deputy CM further highlighted that under the Rythu Bharosa scheme, ₹9,000 crore was transferred to farmers' accounts within just nine days, demonstrating the government's commitment to timely support.
In a pointed criticism of the BRS, Vikramarka accused the opposition of showing a lack of respect toward women. He challenged BRS working president KT Rama Rao (KTR), stating that if KTR genuinely cared about women's development, his party would have ensured adequate representation for women in their cabinet during their tenure. Vikramarka emphasized that the current Congress administration treats women with dignity, citing the introduction of free bus travel for women across the state as a key example of their empowerment efforts.
BRS Questions the Validity of Congress Claims
Earlier in the session, BRS working president KT Rama Rao launched a strong rebuttal against the Congress government's assertions. KTR directly questioned the deputy CM's claim that ₹57,000 crore in interest-free loans had been disbursed, demanding that the government produce the official order documenting these loans. He expressed skepticism about the feasibility of such large-scale financial transfers, suggesting that if the Congress government were to make all 1.06 crore women in Telangana "crorepatis" (millionaires), the state's economy would theoretically grow to 100 trillion rupees—a statement meant to highlight what he perceived as exaggerated claims.
The BRS leader's comments set the stage for a fiery exchange, with both sides digging in on their positions regarding the transparency and impact of welfare programs.
Minister Seethakka Accuses BRS of Financial Neglect
Adding fuel to the debate, Women and Child Welfare Minister Seethakka provided further details on the financial aspects of the SHG initiatives. She revealed that the Congress government has so far paid ₹1,390 crore in interest to Self-Help Groups, contrasting this with the alleged failure of the previous BRS administration to release ₹3,000 crore in interest payments. Seethakka accused the BRS government of resorting to mud-slinging on social media regarding women's issues while the Congress was actively working on empowerment measures.
To illustrate the practical benefits of the Congress's approach, Seethakka cited a recent example from the Samakka Saralamma Jatara festival. "The Congress government facilitated SHGs in setting up shops during the event, and they earned approximately ₹3 crore in profit," she stated, positioning this as tangible evidence of the government's support for women's economic independence.
The assembly session underscored the ongoing political rivalry in Telangana, with welfare schemes becoming a focal point for partisan debate. Both parties presented competing narratives on financial disbursements and social support, leaving the public to assess the veracity of these claims as the state moves forward with its development agenda.
