No cut-off date for issuing pensions

Chittoor: Industries minister N Amaranath Reddy said the government would sanction pensions and ration cards for all the eligible persons. Participating as a chief guest at ‘GramaDarsini-GramaVikasam’programme held at Appiganipalli in Peddpanjanimandal on Sunday, the Minister said there was no cut-off date for issuing pensions and ration cards.

Over 55 lakh people were benefited under various pension schemes in the state, he said the government had increased the pension amount from Rs200 to Rs1000 for elderly persons and Rs5,00 to Rs1500 for physically-disabled. He reiterated that Chief Minister NChandrababu Naidu was committed to the welfare of poor and farmers in the state. 

Despite facing revenue deficit of Rs16,000 crore, the government waived farm loans to the tune of Rs24,000 crore in five instalments, he said and added the last instalment amount of farm loan waiver would be credited to farmers accounts by 2019under any circumstances.

Impetus has been given to ensure more financial assistance through welfare corporations set up under the SCs, STs, BCs, Minorities, Kapus and Brahmins in the state, he added. Stating that there was no dearth of funds for welfare schemes in the state, he said the state got best rank in establishing the industries throughout the country.

He said both the elected representatives and official machinery used to visit doorsteps in the villages for ascertaining the needs of people and to redress the issues relating to drinking water and others on the spot.