Date:15/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/15/stories/2007111559110400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

YSR slams Telugu Desam

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy on Wednesday lashed out at the main Opposition, Telugu Desam, charging it with failing to implement, during its regime, even a 100th of the welfare schemes taken up by his Government.

Intervening during Question Hour after TDLP deputy leader T.Devender Goud accused the Government of allocating only Rs.6 crore on an average to the BC Finance Corporation, the Chief Minister said that the TDP Government had not provided scholarships or tuition fee reimbursement to more than 60 per cent of BC students.

‘No need for lessons’

Taking a dig at the party, he said the TDP members were getting angry because of his Government’s schemes like housing and disbursement of pensions. They get furious even if it rains, he quipped. Each mahila samakhya was now getting loan of Rs.5/6 lakh.

Declaring that there was no need for the Government to take lessons in welfare from the main Opposition, Dr. Reddy stated that more money was being spent on welfare now, than in the past.

Answering the main question on allocation of budget to artisans, BC Welfare Minister Mukesh Goud admitted that many artisans--including toddy-tappers, goldsmiths, handloom weavers, potters, carpenters, barbers and fishermen--were losing employment consequent to the rapid soci-economic and political changes taking place.

He said six federations had been set up for the uplift of barbers, washermen, wadderas, toddy-tappers, fishermen, sheep and goat rearers. A representation had been received for establishing a separate federation for Viswa Brahmins.