TDP charges Cong Govt with neglecting social welfare

Hyderabad, Mar 15 (UNI) The main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today alleged the Congress Government had ''completely neglected'' the welfare of various sections of people, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, , Backward Classes, Minorities and women.

Participating in the debate on demands for grants for welfare of these sections, TDP MLA and Former Minister K Subbarayudu claimed the Rajasekhara Reddy Government, which had announced amid fanfare the Rs 1,350 crore Rajiv Abhyudhayojana Scheme, had allocated Rs five crore in the previous Budget and spent only Rs 2.50 crore.

"At the present rate, the Chief Minister would take 150 years to fulfil his promise", he said.

As many as 150 toddy tappers were forced to commit suicide due to restrictions imposed by the State Government on its sale, he claimed, alleging the government was encouraging sale of liquor at the cost of toddy, "which was good for health if consumed in right quantity." Women were not benefitted much by the 'Pavala Vadi' Scheme, he contended, recalling the revolving fund of Rs 20,000 provided to women's self-help groups was more beneficial to them.

All sections of people were hit hard due to skyrocketing prices of essential commdities and acute shortage of cooking gas, he complained.

He found fault with the Congress Government for scrapping schemes introduced by the previous government including 'Adarana', 'Roshini' and 'Mundadugu' for weaker sections of the society.

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