VIJAYAWADA: BJP Mahila Morcha leader Sadineni Yamini Sharma on Sunday refuted ruling YSR Congress Party’s observation that BJP-led union government has shown an empty hand to AP in the union budget 2023.
Maintaining that it is an outstanding budget, Yamini Sharma pointed out that ₹12,000 crore have been allocated for construction of toilets for women, with 45 lakh of them already built by the centre. Whereas, the state government has imposed taxes even on garbage, which is troubling masses.
She underlined that the centre is providing ₹9,000 crore secured loans to women for establishing cottage and medium enterprises with ₹2 lakh crore unsecured guarantee. Allocations have been made to support 81 lakh self-help groups across the country, 8.5 lakh of them within AP.
The BJP Mahila Morcha leader alleged that funds allocated through PM Matru Vandana scheme by the centre, including for salaries to Anganwadi teachers and nutritious food to infants and pregnant women, have been hijacked by previous and present AP governments and used for welfare schemes of the state government.
Yamini Sharma observed that political parties and leaders of the state are intentionally criticising the budget to mislead people. She asserted that the budget will increase self-esteem of women and widen their social, economic and business capabilities. She claimed that from cities to villages and from employees to housewives, the budget will provide long-term benefits to every girl and woman.
She further said ₹25,000 crore have been allocated to provide protection, care and nutrition to women and girls. But women in AP have been left without protection. The Nirbhaya funds given by centre have not been fully utilised by the state, she stated.
