HYDERABAD: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy has alleged that the State Government has diverted funds meant for Women's Self-Help Groups.
Addressing a gathering of women associated with DWCRA Groups at Indira Bhavan, here on Wednesday, Mr Reddy said that the activities of Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) groups came to a halt ever since TRS came to power in Telangana State.
He said that the previous Congress regimes have encouraged and funded DWCRA groups for the financial empowerment of women in rural areas.
They were provided interest-free loans for setting up household industries and other economic activities.
The TPCC President said the state government has discontinued the Abhay Hashtam scheme which was meant to provide pension to members of women SHGs.
Further, he alleged that the TRS Government has diverted Rs 360 crore of Abhay Hashtam funds, which was contributed by nearly 50 lakh women, for other purposes.
He alleged that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao was not serious in women's welfare and empowerment.
Stating that the Congress party was all set to come to power in next elections, the TPCC Chief assured that the next government would revive Abhay Hastham and members of women SHGs would be paid a monthly pension of Rs 1,000.
He said that a revolving fund of Rs 1 lakh will be given to each SHG in Telangana State.
Mr Reddy said each SHG will be permitted to get a bank loan of Rs 10 lakh for which the interest will be paid by the government.
He also promised that the next Congress Government would construct new buildings for SHGs by spending Rs 15 lakh in villages and Rs 30 lakh in mandals.
The TPCC President also announced that each member of Women SHG would be given free life insurance cover of Rs 2.5 lakh for natural death and Rs.5 lakh for accidental death.
He said the amount for performing last rites will be increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000.
About 52 lakh women are associated with nearly 4.5 lakh SHGs in rural areas while 15 lakh women are members of 1.5 lakh SHGs in urban areas.
Overall, Mr Reddy said that the next Congress Government would take measures for economic empowerment of nearly 70 lakh members of SHGs in the State.
He appealed to the women to teach a fitting lesson to the Chief Minister who humiliated women on multiple occasions.