TDP’s self-goal: Welfare of 64 lakh pensioners at stake, Govt releases Rs 1,473-Cr, alternative distribution from April 3

AMARAVATI: Even as the over-jealous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) got the distribution of ‘YSR Kanuka Pensions’ to over 64 lakh beneficiaries in the State stopped, the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy Government has made alternative arrangements so that the old and bedridden pensioners receive their pension in time.

The Andhra Pradesh Government through different GOs on March 28 and 29 issued CBROs (Budegt Release Orders) for Rs 118,01,28,000 through the Tribal Welfare Department, Rs 891,10,53,000 through the BC Welfare Department, Rs 464,29,24,000 through the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) Department totaling Rs 147,341,05,000 so that the pensions could be distributed on April 3, 2024.

The funds were released to departments concerned, ahead of time keeping in mind the fact that the banks would be closed on April 1, 2024, due to year-end

However, the TDP made a series of allegations against the Chief Electoral Officer of Andhra Pradesh through an NGO Citizens for Democracy run by former Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh that the Government was influencing the pensioners with the help of the volunteers. The 2.6 lakh village volunteers had been efficiently distributing pensions to 64 lakh pensioners during the past 58 months.

The general practice is that volunteers reach the houses of the pensioners on the first day of the month to distribute pensions after verifying the iris of the beneficiary. Volunteers not only knew the pensioner personally but also were ready to help them out in case of trouble making a perfect fingerprint due to old age.

After the ECI denied permission to distribute with the help of volunteers the State Government is trying to find alternatives. For the March month’s pension, the pensioners might have to personally go to the village secretariat submit proof, and take the pension.

State Chief Secretary Jawahar Reddy also reviewed the alternative arrangements with the district collectors. However, the personal distribution could run into trouble as the account only could be activated when both the pensioner and the volunteer concerned put their thumbs for identification. If that permission was to be given to the Village secretariat then it would be a time-consuming process delaying pensions to the old.

Challenges to pensioners courtesy of TDP

• Old and ailing pensioners have to rush to the village secretariats.

• There are over 7.600 villages that don’t have village secretariats.

• Pensioners have to either walk or travel to other villages for pension.

• In urban areas the secretariats are located on upper floors, making it impossible for the disabled to personally visit these places.

• Pensioners might be in discomfort due to severe heatwave conditions and lack of drinking water.

• Many beneficiaries live in their children’s homes making verification of address impossible

• Passing on information to 11 lakh pensioners living in tribal hamlets is difficult.

• Taking fingerprints of the old is difficult, volunteers patiently do this work much to the comfort of the old.

• Ailing pensioners were served directly at their homes till now, now they must visit the village secretariat personally.

• The volunteer system was in vogue for 58 months and not established to gain benefit during elections.