Naidu launches NTR Bharosa

Amaravati: Fulfilling one of the major promises made by during electioneering, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday launched the enhanced society security pension for the poorer sections

Pension amount is hiked from Rs.3,000 to Rs.4,000 per month with effect from April under the scheme named NTR Bharosa. The beneficiaries were given Rs.7,000 including arrears for three months.

As promised the Chief Minister launched the distribution of the NTR Bharosa pension scheme by distributing to the beneficiaries at Penumaka village of Mangalagiri Assembly segment.

Accompanied by the Minister for HRD, Education, IT and Electronics Nara Lokesh, who is the local MLA, Naidu drove straight to the hut of Islavath Sai in Penumaka and handed over the pension to her and her father Banavath Pamulyanayak, and his wife Banavath Sita, all the three daily-wage earners.

Later addressing the Praja Vedika at the Masjid Centre at Penumaka, the Chief Minister said that real welfare is illuminating the lives of the people. "This is the first step towards improving the living standards of the people," he told the gathering.

Stating that he has taken oath as the Chief Minister for the fourth time with all the blessings of the people, Naidu said that the new government has launched the pension distribution scheme as a first step towards fulfilling the promises made to the people. Recalling the slogan given by the TDP founder late NT Rama Rao, that society is the place of worship and the people are the real gods, he said that his government will function taking this as an inspiration.

The Chief Minister promised to focus on the poor and said that "my dream is to see a poverty-free society with no economic imbalances and our thinking is always innovatively."

Declaring that the pension for physically challenged has been revised to Rs.6,000 per month told the gathering that it is the duty of society to encourage them.

Naidu felt an immediate need to check the spiralling prices of all essential commodities and stated that this is the people's government which always works for their welfare.

"The previous government and the officers have said that distribution of pension through secretariat staff members is not possible. I told them at that time itself that if they can not discharge their duties they can go home and on Monday the pension is being distributed through 1.25 lakh secretariat employees. I also directed them to take the assistance of the volunteers wherever necessary," he added.