Pisinikada, (Anakapalle Dist): On the eve of International Women's Day, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy released Rs.5,060.49 crore under YSR Cheyutha towards financial assistance for the fourth consecutive year benefiting 26,98,931 poor women of 45 to 60 years belonging to SC, ST, BC and minorities. The amount would be directly credited into their bank accounts across the State over a period of 14 days from March 7.

Addressing a huge public meeting before releasing the amount with the click of a button here on Thursday, the Chief Minister said that Andhra Pradesh is the only state which has been implementing unique welfare programmes like YSR Cheyutha and Aasara for the empowerment of women.

CM YS Jagan highlighted that the state government has been extending a financial assistance of Rs. 18,750 each every year under YSR Cheyutha, and so far, it has transparently disbursed a whopping Rs. 19,189.60 crore benefiting 33,14,916 poor women who received a total of Rs. 75,000 each.

The YSR Cheyutha beneficiaries have also received another Rs.29,588 crore through other schemes of Navaratnalu and totally benefitted to the tune of Rs. 56,188 crore, he said.

While the TDP has no history of doing anything for the sake of women, he said that Government’s efforts in the last 58 months have resulted in 1,69,000 women launching Kirana shops, 85,630 women launching cloth shops, 3,80,466 women purchasing buffaloes and cows, 134, 514 women owning goats, 88,923 women doing food products business, 3,98,422women selling agricultural–related products and 2,59,997 women running other businesses.

Schemes like Amma Vodi, Vidya Deevena, Vasathi Deevena, YSR Aasara, YSR Sunna Vaddi, Kapu Nestham and EBC Nestham have also helped women to a great extent, he said, pointing out the loan recovery rate of self-help groups now stands at 99. 83 percent.

While TDP never thought of political empowerment of women, this Government gave 50 per cent of the nominated posts to women through a specially made Act besides appointing women police at the village and ward secretariats and filling 50 per cent of the posts with women, he said, outlining that the Disha App, introduced for the safety of women, was downloaded by 1.3crore women.

Government has also distributed 31 lakh house site pattas to women and 22 lakh houses are under construction, he said, adding this is the only Government that has disbursed Rs. 2,65,000 crore through DBT welfare schemes and is seeking votes based on its performance.

In Pics: CM YS Jagan disburses over Rs 5,000 cr under YSR Cheyutha scheme