Festive atmosphere in villages across the state as ministers, legislators join pension distribution prog

Vijayawada: Ministers, legislators, local leaders and TDP cadres across the state participated in large numbers in distribution of enhanced welfare pensions to beneficiaries across the state on Monday. Party activists turned the event into a festival at villages and colonies.
Field level leaders put up huge flex banners and posters with chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu to mark the occasion.Naidu not only increased the pension amount from 3,000 to 4,000 to the elderly but also paid arrears from April. This helped the beneficiaries receive 7,000 in one go. The previous YSRCP govt had said it was impossible to increase the pension amount given the financial constraints of the state. Under pressure from party leaders, party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy promised to increase the pension amount from 3,000 to 3,500 in two instalments — that too in 2028 and 2029. He assured to increase the pension amount by 250 per year in the last two years before going to the 2029 elections.
In contrast, Naidu made a courageous move by promising to increase the pension amount by 1,000 in one go and also promised to pay the arrears for three months — April, May and June.
Water resources minister Nimmala Ramanaidu launched the pension distribution programme at Adavipalem village in Yelamanchili mandal of Palkollu constituency where he went to the homes of elderly beneficiaries and washed their feet before handing over the increased pension amount.
Agriculture minister K Atchannaidu participated in the pension distribution program at Kotabommali in Srikakulam district, while Narasannapeta MLA Baggu Ramana Murty took part in the programme in Polaki mandal. Srikakulam collector Manazir Jeelani Samoon distributed the pensions in Ranasthalam mandal, and Amadalavalasa MLA Koona Ravi Kumar joined the drive in Mettakkivalasa village.
Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao participated in the drive in Yeguvapeta, and Nellimarla MLA Lokam Naga Madhavi distributed pensions in Bhogapuram mandal. Bobbili MLA RVSSK Ranga Rao also took part in the program. Alluri Sitharama Raju district collector S Dinesh Kumar visited various areas in Paderu for pension distribution, while Anakapalli MLA Konathala Ramakrishna participated in the programme in Sampathipuram panchayat.