andhra-pradesh-political-slugfest-erupts-over-distribution-of-pension

The process to disburse welfare pensions to 66 lakh beneficiaries across Andhra Pradesh has started in full-swing.

 

More than 25 lakh beneficiaries received their pensions on the first day, Principal Secretary for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Sashibhushan Kumar said.

 

“District collectors have made all arrangements for the smooth distribution of pensions to all the pensioners from April 3 to 6, 2024,” he said in an official statement.

 

The ruling YSR Congress Party in the state and its rivals have accused each other for the hardships faced by pensioners. Kumar said that the state government has released an amount of Rs 1,952 crore for disbursing the pensions.

 

According to the principal secretary, 13,699 ward and village secretariats from a total of 14,994 have already begun the exercise of disbursing pensions.

 

There was a delay in the disbursal of pensions due to the Election Commission restricting the state government from engaging volunteers in the job in view of the Model Code of Conduct being in force for assembly and parliamentary elections in the state.

 

The recent order by the EC which barred volunteers associated with the Andhra Pradesh government from performing poll duties and administering welfare schemes has sparked a row between the ruling YSRCP and the opposition NDA, comprising TDP, BJP and Janasena.

 

Immediately after the issuance of EC orders, Chandrababu Naidu wrote letters to the Chief Electoral Officer and chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh to make alternative arrangements for the distribution of pension.

 

Meanwhile, Janasena chief and actor-politician Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday urged his party cadres to take responsibility of lending a helping hand to the old and specially-abled pensioners by taking them in their vehicles to receive their pension and safely drop them back home, considering the scorching summer temperatures.

 

He made the same appeal to all cadres of NDA partners in the state.

 

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president YS Sharmila also appealed for the timely delivery of pensions.

 

According to the principal secretary, 13,699 ward and village secretariats from a total of 14,994 have already begun the exercise of disbursing pensions, adding that more than 25 lakh beneficiaries received their pensions on Wednesday.