Hyderabad: Welfare Minister Adluri Lakshman Kumar accused the BRS of remembering disabled welfare only after losing power and questioned its decade-long record in Telangana.
Responding to criticism from former minister and BRS leader T. Harish Rao, Kumar alleged that the previous government had neglected persons with disabilities. He questioned why the party had raised their welfare issues only after being voted out of office.
“Those who ruled the State for 10 years as if they were the kings and ministers, and as if no one could question them, are now talking about the welfare of persons with disabilities,” Kumar said.
Addressing a media conference at the CLP Media Centre in Hyderabad on Sunday, the Minister strongly criticised Harish Rao’s remarks.
Kumar alleged that Rao had made false claims while addressing a meeting organised with persons with disabilities. He also objected to Rao’s alleged use of singular and disrespectful references while criticising Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
Disabled welfare record of BRS questioned
Kumar further alleged that persons with disabilities had been forcibly brought to the meeting. He claimed they were then made to listen to political criticism. “If you want to speak about the problems of persons with disabilities, speak with facts and figures. Using them for political purposes is not acceptable,” he said.
The Minister also questioned the BRS over promises included in its previous election manifestos. He alleged that the party had failed to fulfil even one major promise made to persons with disabilities. According to Kumar, those commitments had appeared in the BRS election manifestos for 2014, 2018 and 2023.
“Promises were made when you were in power. Ten years passed. Now, after losing power, you suddenly claim to be concerned about persons with disabilities. This is nothing but an attempt to mislead people,” he said.
Kumar alleged that the previous BRS government lacked a comprehensive vision for disabled welfare and empowerment during its decade in office. In contrast, he said the Congress government had given priority to programmes supporting persons with disabilities.
Disabled welfare spending highlighted by Minister
Kumar said the State government had spent ₹50 crore on vehicles, battery-operated vehicles and other assistive devices for persons with disabilities.
He added that another ₹50 crore would be allocated in the next year. The proposed allocation would fund vehicles and other equipment for persons with disabilities. The Minister also reiterated the State government’s commitment to raising the pension provided to persons with disabilities to ₹6,000.