Hyderabad: A volley of claims and charges were exchanged between the leaders of the ruling Congress and the opposition BRS over welfare schemes, in the assembly on Tuesday.Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka told the House that over 20,000 crore per year is being deposited into the accounts of women under interest-free loan schemes through Self-Help Groups, and so far 57,000 crore has been credited.He said that instead of Rythu Bharosa, farmers are benefiting with about 25,000 each through the paddy bonus. Recognising the hard work of farmers, a bonus of 500 per quintal is being deposited directly into the accounts of those cultivating fine paddy. The deputy CM added that under Rythu Bharosa, 9,000 crore was credited to farmers’ accounts within just nine days.Taking on leaders from the BRS, Bhatti said the people of the state are aware of the lack of respect they show towards women. Bhatti said if KTR truly cared about women’s development, his party would have given women adequate representation in their cabinet.Earlier, BRS working president KT Rama Rao questioned the deputy CM’s claims that 57,000 crore loans were paid and asked him to show the copy of the interest-free loans order. KTR said if the Congress govt makes all 1.06 crore women in the state ‘crorepatis’, the state would become a 100 trillion economy.The deputy CM said the state govt treats women with dignity and has introduced free bus travel for women across the state.Women and child welfare minister Seethakka said the govt has so far paid 1,390 crore interest to Self-Help Groups (SHG), while the BRS govt did not release 3,000 crore interest. “The BRS govt resorted to mud-slinging on social media on women when the Congress govt was working on women empowerment,” she said. The Congress govt got SHGs to set up shops during Samakka Saralamma jatara recently, and they earned about 3 crore profit, Seethakka said.
