The Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to introduce over one lakh new pensions could give the Chandrababu Naidu-led government a fresh advantage among a large section of beneficiaries.
The new pensions are expected to benefit people who have been waiting for years, including widows, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. With around 1.4 lakh new beneficiaries likely to be added, the government is expanding the pension network significantly.
The pension scheme has already been one of the key areas where the coalition government has sought to build a strong connect with beneficiaries. After coming to power, the government increased the monthly pension amount by Rs 2,000 in one go, taking it to Rs 4,000. The government has also continued doorstep pension distribution despite the removal of the volunteer system.
However, those who were eligible but did not receive pensions in recent years had been expressing disappointment. The issue also reportedly created pressure on local MLAs, prompting the government to focus on clearing the long-pending demand for new pensions.
With the latest decision, a large number of families who were waiting for pension benefits are now set to receive them. Politically, this could also help the NDA government strengthen its support among these beneficiaries.
With the 2029 elections still some distance away, the government has enough time to build on this welfare network. There is also talk within party circles that the pension amount could be increased further in the coming years. If implemented, the pension scheme could become an even more important political asset for the Naidu government.