Prove Rs 57,000 Cr SHG Loans, I'll Resign: KTR

BRS working president and MLA K T Rama Rao today challenged Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka to prove the disbursal of Rs 57,000 crore in interest-free loans to women self-help groups (SHGs) by producing the Government Order.

"If you show proof, I will resign immediately," KTR said, accusing the government of misleading the Assembly and making false claims.

Reacting to this during the reply to the Governor's address in the State Assembly, minister Seethakka countered that SHGs had faced restrictions under the previous BRS regime and claimed that the present Congress government was removing the barriers to empower women.

Vikramarka too hit back sharply, accusing KTR of making irresponsible remarks and of neglecting women's empowerment during the previous BRS rule. "You were in power for 10 years, yet you completely neglected women's empowerment. The entire State is watching to see what respect you accord to the women within your own household," he said.

Minister Sridhar Babu added that the Opposition was trying to divert attention from the issue. He alleged that the previous BRS government had not disbursed even a single rupee in loans to women in the State.

KTR dismissed the claims as part of a "cinematic show" around the Congress' Six Guarantees, and termed the government's claim of Rs 57,000 crore disbursal as completely incorrect.