The recently elected government of Andhra Pradesh has declared an increase in the monthly pension for senior citizens from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 under the NTR Bharosa Pension scheme. This scheme was previously known as the YSR Pension Kanuka Scheme. The beneficiaries will receive the raise retrospectively starting in May.
The NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme, which is based on the YSR Pension Kanuka scheme, offers benefits to a diverse range of individuals in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category. These include senior citizens, widows, weavers, toddy tappers, fishermen, single women, traditional cobblers, and artisans. To qualify for the monthly pension, applicants must provide necessary documentation such as a ration card for income proof, as well as other official papers for identification and proof of residency. It’s important to note that only permanent residents of Andhra Pradesh are eligible for the NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSR Congress-led government has made significant strides in providing pensions to over 65 lakh beneficiaries. After coming into power, the TDP government renamed the scheme from YSR Pension Kanuka to the NTR Bharosa Pension scheme and allocated Rs 4,400 crore for pension distribution, including the increase component.
During a press briefing held on Thursday, State Endowment Minister Reddy announced that Chief Minister Naidu has successfully delivered on the primary commitment of raising pensions within the initial month of taking office. In line with the pledge made during the election campaign, pensions for elderly citizens, widows, single women, fishermen, and artisans have been raised. The monthly pensions for individuals impacted by tuberculosis (TB) and those with disabilities have been revised upwards.
The pension amount for individuals with TB and differently-abled individuals has been increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 per month. Additionally, individuals with total disabilities will now receive a higher pension of Rs 15,000, up from the previous Rs 5,000 monthly. Furthermore, individuals suffering from chronic illnesses will also experience a rise in their pension, now receiving Rs 10,000 per month as opposed to the previous Rs 5,000.