AP Issues Orders for Hike in Social Security Pensions from July 1

The government changed the name of the scheme to ‘NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme’. Under the YSRC rule, this was known as YSR Pension Kanuka.The hiked pensions will be distributed to beneficiaries with effect from July 1. The TD-JS election manifesto had carried this promise.

Chief Secretary Neerab Prasad issued GO-Ms-43 for enhancement of the pension for different categories and restoring the name of the scheme as NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme.

The order stated that the enhancement is for Old Age persons, widows, weavers, toddy tappers, fishermen, single women, traditional cobblers, transgenders, ART(PLHIV), Dappu artists and artists.

The enhancement of disabled persons pension is from `3,000 to `6,000 to all persons with disability and multi-deformity leprosy patients.

The order read, “The enhancement of pension to fully disabled persons is from `5,000 to`15,000. The enhancement is from ` 5,000 to `10,000 for persons with chronic ailments like bilateral elephantiasis-grade 4, kidney, liver and heart transplant, CKDU not on dialysis CKD serum creatinine of >5 mg, CKDU not on dialysis CKD estimated GFR <15 ml, CKDU Not on Dialysis CKD small contracted kidney.”

The government said that the enhanced pensions shall be payable from April 1, 2024 and disbursed from July 1, 2024, along with 3 months' arrears.

Thus the amount to be disbursed under this category will be `7,000 in July and thereafter `4,000 per month.

The government is providing `10,000 per month to CKDU on Dialysis Private, CKDU on dialysis government, Sickle Cell disease, thalassemia and severe haemophilia (<2% of factor 8 or 9) and the same amount will be continued without hike, the GO said.

Further, the government is offering `5,000 per month under Sainik welfare pensions and under Amaravati Landless Poor provisions and `500 under Abhayahastam. These pension amounts would continue without any increase.

The CEO, Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), and the Commissioner, PR & RD Department, would take further action to disburse the hiked pensions from July 1.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu recalled that TD was credited with the introduction of the Social Security Pensions (SSP). Party founder NTR introduced these pensions and he continued them with periodical hikes. “The TD government works for the welfare of the public and development of the state. Fulfilling the TD’s election promise showed our dedication to the cause.”

TD ministers and leaders claimed that the hike in pensions showd Naidu’s welfare mindset and claimed that good days came back to the people of AP with the fulfilment of the TD-led alliance’s election promises.