Welfare pension disbursal process begins in Andhra Pradesh

Welfare pension distribution has begun for 66 lakh beneficiaries in Andhra Pradesh, with over 25 lakh already receiving pensions. The delay was due to Election Commission restrictions. Rs 1,952 crore has been released by the government. Ward and village secretariats are working to ensure doorstep delivery of pensions to vulnerable beneficiaries.

The process to disburse welfare pension to 66 lakh beneficiaries across Andhra Pradesh has started, officials said.

More than 25 lakh beneficiaries received their pension on Wednesday, Principal Secretary for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Sashibhushan Kumar said.

''District Collectors have made all arrangements for the smooth distribution of pensions to all pensioners from April 3 to 6, 2024,'' he said in an official statement.

There was a delay in disbursal of pensions due to the Election Commission restricting the state government from engaging volunteers in the job in view of the Model Code of Conduct being in force for Assembly and Parliamentary elections in the state.

The ruling YSR Congress Party in the state and the opposition have accused each other over the issue of hardship faced by pensioners. Kumar said the state government has released an amount of Rs 1,952 crore for disbursing pensions.

According to the principal secretary, 13,699 ward and village secretariats from a total of 14,994 have already begun the exercise of disbursing pension.

Kumar said district collectors have been directed to devise an action plan to ensure mandatory doorstep delivery of pension to the extremely vulnerable categories of beneficiaries, according to the statement.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)