Naidu leads pension distribution program

Vijayawada: The state govt on Monday distributed social security pensions across the state through village and ward secretariat employees. Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu himself participated in the pension distribution program, and visited the house of Banavat Ramulu Naik at Penumaka village in Mangalagiri constituency and handed over pension to three beneficiaries under different categories.
While Ramulu received 4,000 as old age pension, his wife Sitabai received 5,000 under landless farm labourer in capital area category. Their daughter Islavatibai received 4,000 under pension for widow scheme. The NDA govt has renamed the pensions scheme as ‘NTR Bharosa’. Naidu sat in the thatched house of Naik and had tea with them. He also directed officials to allot a house to Naik.

A few weeks before the 2024 elections, the election commission had issued orders barring volunteers from distributing pensions. Despite having the option of distributing pensions through secretariat employees, the previous YSRCP govt subjected elderly people to severe hardships in scorching heat, which led to the death of 33 people. “They put the blame on us, as if pension distribution is not possible without volunteers. To prove them wrong we are distributing the pension through secretariat employees,” Naidu said.
He said people in the state lived in fear for the last five years. “Forget dissent, people were scared to even speak freely or express their opinions. Police machinery was used to harass them. People are having high expectations on us. However, one thing everyone should realise is that everything cannot happen overnight. We do not know as to how much debt is there on the state. In just five years, Jagan spoiled the brand image of the state with their unmindful decisions,” the CM alleged.
He credited NTR for initiating the social security pension scheme in the state. “He was the father of welfare governance. Pensions started at 35 back then and was increased to 75 when I became the chief minister. Till 2014, the pension amount was only 200. I increased it to 1,000 and later to 2,000. Now, it has been increased to 4,000,” said Naidu.
Taking on his predecessor YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for hiding problems behind curtains even on roads, he said unlike past rulers, TDP govt will be “servants to public”. “I have already instructed officials not to put curtains between me and people. If I see the curtains again, the officials responsible will have to face the music,” he said, adding that “they will see the Naidu of 1995”.
Mangalagiri MLA and minister for HRD and IT Nara Lokesh, minister for MSME and SERP Kondapalli Srinivas, and senior officials participated in the event.
Housing minister Kolusu Pardasarathi said officials completed 95% of pension distribution on the first day itself. "As many as 61.7 lakh beneficiaries received Rs 4,170 crore on Monday. The remaining beneficiaries will get their pensions on Tuesday," he added.