New Year Joy Comes Early for AP Pensioners!

The Andhra Pradesh government has brought New Year cheer a day early for lakhs of pension beneficiaries across the state. Under the NTR Bharosa pension scheme, pension amounts are being delivered directly to beneficiaries on December 31 instead of the usual first day of the month.

This special arrangement was made keeping New Year celebrations in mind, allowing families to welcome the new year with financial support already in hand. Pension distribution is being carried out at doorsteps, ensuring convenience for elderly and vulnerable beneficiaries.

Since the NDA government came to power, more than ₹50,000 crore has been spent on pension schemes, an expenditure scale the government says is unmatched anywhere in the country. For December alone, ₹2,743 crore has been released to cover pensions for 63.12 lakh beneficiaries.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu usually makes it a point to personally visit a village every month and hand over pensions to select families. However, this month, he could not do so due to a personal family trip to London along with Nara Lokesh. The government clarified that the visit is purely personal and that all expenses are being borne by the Naidu family themselves.

Despite this, the YSR Congress Party and its affiliated media outlets have criticised the chief minister over the trip. Supporters argue that governance has not been affected and that the early pension release itself reflects the government’s commitment to public welfare.

The move has been widely welcomed by beneficiaries, who say the early pension delivery has added to the festive mood ahead of the New Year.