Andhra Pradesh Endowment Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy has announced increasing the monthly pension of senior citizens from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 under his government’s NTR Bharosa Pension scheme. The beneficiaries will receive the hike retrospectively starting in May.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) unseated the previous government of Jagan Mohan Reddy in the recently held national cum assembly elections. TDP fought both the polls under the NDA formation, which comprises BJP and other regional parties.

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Reddy’s YSR Congress-led government had provided pensions to over 65 lakh beneficiaries. However, after coming to power, the TDP government changed its name from the YSR Pension Kanuka scheme to the NTR Bharosa Pension scheme while sanctioning Rs 4,400 crore for pension distribution, including the hike component.

In a press conference on Thursday, the endowment minister said, “Chief Minister Naidu has fulfilled the main promise of increasing pensions within the first month of assuming power. Based on the promise made in the election campaign, pensions for senior citizens, widows, single women, fishermen and artisans have been increased.” The endowment minister also announced a slew of projects to renovate old public buildings and temples across the state, including the famous Tirumala Temple, where devotees from around the country visit. Reddy said eight famous temples out of the 27,000 in the state will receive particular attention.

Pension Beneficiaries

The monthly pensions of those suffering from tuberculosis (TB) and differently-abled people have been increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000. For people with complete disabilities, the pension amount has increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 monthly. Additionally, those with chronic illnesses will get a higher pension, increased to Rs 10,000 from Rs 5,000.

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Eligibility Criteria For NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme

The NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme is on the same lines of the YSR Pension Kanuka scheme run by the previous government. The beneficiaries include senior citizens, widows, weavers, toddy tappers, fishermen, single women, traditional cobblers, and artisans, who belong to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category. To avail of the NTR Bharosa monthly pension, they must provide a ration card for income proof and other official documents for ID and resident proof. Only those who permanently reside in Andhra Pradesh are eligible for the NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme.