AP CM Naidu to Personally Deliver Enhanced Pension Benefits, Setting a New Precedent

On July 1, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will set a precedent by personally delivering pension benefits to a poor beneficiary at their house, making him the first CM in the country to do so. He will start visiting Sugali Thanda in Penumaka village, where he will hand over the enhanced pension amount to Islavat Sai and her father Tandari Banavat. Sai, who previously received Rs 3,000, will now get Rs 4,000 plus three months of arrears, totaling Rs 7,000 per month for April to June. Banavat will also receive an old age pension of Rs 7,000 for the same period.

Naidu will then hold a praja darbar (public court) with the villagers at an Anganwadi centre, which will be named praja vedika. Unlike the past distribution method by village volunteers, the new approach involves village and ward secretariat employees distributing the pension money at the beneficiaries' doorsteps from 6 am on the first of every month. The government has allocated Rs 4,399.89 crore for this initiative.

In an open letter to pensioners, Naidu highlighted the hardship he witnessed during his election campaign and his promise to increase the pension amount. Despite facing financial challenges, the government is committed to supporting people as per their election manifesto, increasing pensions to Rs 4,000 and Rs 6,000 for physically challenged individuals. The additional burden on the exchequer due to the increased pensions is Rs 819 crore per month, but the government prioritizes meeting the people's expectations.