AP increases monthly pension for poorer sections to Rs 3,000

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government has raised the monthly pension for economically disadvantaged sections to Rs 3,000. As a New Year gift, the YSR Congress government has extended the monthly pension to 66.34 lakh individuals, including 1.17 lakh new pension cards for those in the poorer sections, effective January 1.

The total benefit provided through pensioners by the YSRCP government from 2019 will be Rs 83,526 crore. The government has also asked the volunteers and ward secretaries to distribute the pension on the first of every month whether it’s a working day or public holiday at the doorsteps of the beneficiaries.

The distribution process is being celebrated for eight days as ‘YSR Pension Kanuka.’ Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will participate in the celebrations at a State level function being organised on January 3 at Kakinada. The government has directed all the elected representatives to take part in the celebrations being held at various levels, which the Opposition TDP has described as an attempt to enhance pension with an eye on elections due in next few months. The disbursement process formally started on Monday. The government said the celebrations will continue for another week. New pension cards will be issued to 1.17 lakh eligible people.

Besides elderly persons, the pension is also being given to widows, single women, weavers, toddy-tappers, fishermen, traditional cobblers, people living with HIV and AIDS. Minister for Municipal Administration Audimulapu Suresh said the YSRCP government after coming to power increased the monthly pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,250 and has increased it by Rs 250 twice in the past.