HYDERABADMinister for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Adluri Laxman Kumar has refuted BRSLP deputy floor leader T. Harish Rao’s allegations regarding the welfare of differently abled persons in the State under the present Congress regime. He also dared Mr. Rao to debate the issue on the floor of the Assembly.Speaking to the media at the CLP office in the Assembly here on Sunday, Mr. Laxman Kumar ridiculed Mr. Rao, alleging that the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government had failed to fully fulfil even a single promise made to differently abled persons in its election manifestos. Mr. Kumar also said that the government was discussing the proposal of providing free travel to differently abled persons in TGSRTC buses with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy hoping to take a positive call soon.Condemning the former minister’s accusations that the Congress had betrayed persons with disabilities (PwD), Mr. Kumar asked Mr. Rao to come with evidence. He observed that using persons with disabilities for political gains was not desirable.Referring to the assistance provided to them ever since the Congress party came to power, he said, ”Battery-operated vehicles and other implements such as prosthetic, mobility and educational aids worth ₹50 crore had been distributed by our government. We are taking measures to distribute aids worth another ₹50 crore to them next year,” he said.Referring to housing for PwDs, he said that priority had been given to them under the Indiramma Housing Scheme being implemented across the State.Reiterating his government’s commitment to PwDs, Mr. Kumar also promised to sanction new pensions to all eligible persons. He also recalled that the government had been implementing ‘Bala Bharosa’ for the benefit of children with disabilities. Published - August 30, 2026 06:55 pm IST