Andhra CM announces doubling of pension, distribution of sanitary napkins to 6L girls

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday announced the enhancement of old age pensions from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000, starting January. The decision is expected to benefit around 5.4 million pensioners in the state.

After coming to power in 2014, Naidu had increased pension from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000. The new amount is now ten times the initial one.

Naidu said that despite the financial crisis ensuing in Andhra Pradesh following the bifurcation of the state and "non-cooperation" from the central government, his government was committed to the welfare of the poor and hence, took the decision to increase pensions.

Apart from the increase in pension, the Chief Minister announced the distribution of sanitary napkins to 6 lakh girls studying in Grades 8, 9 and 10 at a cost of Rs 120 crore.

Quoting the observation of Lok Satta president Jayaprakash Narayan and Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan, Naidu said the central government has to release Rs 75,000 crore to Andhra Pradesh. This order is awaiting a nod from the Prime Minister, he added.

In addition, Naidu announced the distribution of 'land pattas' (legal document that includes the details of the legal owner of the land property/plot or the person in whose name the property is registered) to around 60,596 women to an extent of 66,276.79 acres costing Rs 8,000 crore in Nellore district.

He also announced the commencement of work to open the sea mouth at Pulicot Lake, and announced Rs 110 crore for the development of Juvvaladinne village.