Women neglected under TRS regime: Uttam

Karimnagar: The Congress raised the issue of lack of women Ministers in the Telangana cabinet to attack Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Thursday. 

Speaking to media persons during Praja Chaitanya Bus Yatra here, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President N Uttam Kumar Reddy, who greeted women on the occasion, showered sops on women, especially self-help groups (SHGs) if the Congress returns to power.

Reddy said the Telangana Cabinet is the only cabinet in the country which has no women representatives. This indicates the approach of TRS government towards the women, he added.

During the Congress regime, there was a lot of impetus on programmes that encouraged women empowerment. But as of now, the TRS government totally forgot the issues of women. On the other hand, Abhaya Hastam, a scheme aimed at providing income security to Self-help groups in their old age had been discontinued, he alleged.

“Going by the recent speech made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Parliament, it appears like the formation of Telangana itself is wrong,” Reddy said, finding fault with Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his MPs for not condemning it.

The Congress will make a comeback in the next elections, Reddy said and stated that their surveys were suggesting conducive political atmosphere for their party.

He said that six lakh SHG groups consisting 70 lakh members in the State will get prominence once the Congress returns to power. Each group will be given Rs 1 lakh revolving fund which is not refundable, TPCC president assured.

He said Abhaya Hastam scheme will be revived besides increasing pension from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 a month to women.

K Chandrashekar Rao promised 12 per cent reservations to minorities and tribals in 2014 elections but failed to implement it. Now with the elections fast approaching, K Chandrashekar Rao is trying to hoodwink the minorities and tribals, Reddy added. He stated that the TRS MPs’ ongoing protest in the Parliament seeking right over reservation is just a drama.

With his government totally failing in fulfilling its poll promises, he questioned how K Chandrashekar Rao would seek mandate again in the next elections.

Former MP Ponnam Prabhakar said that it is not possible for the Chief Minister to deceive people with his false promises.

TPCC working president Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, senior leaders S Jaipal Reddy, RC Khuntia, T Jeevan Reddy, Shabbir Ali, Duddilla Sridhar Babu and Mallu Ravi were among others present.