Why Did Andhra Pradesh CM Travel in an Autorickshaw to Deliver a Widow Pension?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- CM N. Chandrababu Naidu traveled in an autorickshaw to promote social welfare.
- The initiative reflects the government's commitment to aiding vulnerable families.
- Monthly pensions are crucial for financial support to widows and other beneficiaries.
- The government allocates Rs 2,750 crore monthly for pensions.
- Direct engagement fosters trust and transparency in the government.
Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh), Aug 1 (NationPress) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday took a surprising journey in an autorickshaw to deliver a monthly pension to a widow in a village located in YSR Kadapa district.
The Chief Minister astonished everyone by using an autorickshaw to reach the residence of Vulsala Alivelamma in Gudemcheruvu village of Jammalamadugu mandal.
Afterwards, he engaged in conversation with her family to understand their challenges. He also examined the hand-weaving machine owned by her elder son, Venugopal, who informed the Chief Minister about the benefits his six-year-old son, Harshavardhan, has received from the Talliki Vandanam scheme.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister interacted with Alivelamma's younger son, Jagadeesh, who drives an autorickshaw. During the ride in Jagadeesh’s autorickshaw, the Chief Minister inquired about the family's issues.
A local resident also appealed to the Chief Minister for a pension due to suffering from paralysis, to which he instructed District Collector Sridhar Cherukuri to expedite the pension approval.
The TDP-led coalition government actively distributes monthly social security pensions across various beneficiary groups.
On the first day of each month, the Chief Minister takes part in the 'Pedala Sevalo' (service to the poor) initiative, where he hands out monthly pensions to selected beneficiaries and engages with them.
Chandrababu Naidu highlighted that the state government allocates Rs 2,750 crore each month for the pensions under the NTR Bharosa Pension scheme.
During a previous event, he noted that even larger states do not provide pensions at this magnitude, stating, “We allocate Rs 2,750 crore monthly for pensions, whereas Telangana spends Rs 8,000 crore annually and Kerala only Rs 7,200 crore.”
He asserted that the government has delivered on its electoral promise by increasing pensions from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000.