YSRCP describes pension rise as election stunt

Amaravati: The announcement on increase in old-age pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu drew criticism from Opposition YSRCP which described the move “election stunt”.  Reacting to the announcement by Chief Minister in Nellore on Friday, YSRCP general secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy asked Naidu why he had not implemented it thus far if he was sincere on the issue.

He reminded that YSRCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy had realised the need to raise the pension and promised the same about one-and-a-half year ago and also made it part of nine promises named “Navaratnalu”. “While announcing Navaratnalu, Jagan was aware that Chandrababu Naidu will implement YSRCP’s promises just before elections.

Regardless, he made these promises for the benefit of the poor. If Jagan came to power, he might have implemented these promises from day one unlike Naidu who is implementing them at the fag end of his tenure,” he said. .

YSRCP MLA Md Mustafa said that Naidu announced the rise in pensions without placing the proposal in Budget and allocating funds only to hoodwink voters. 

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister’s announcement on the increase in pensions caught even ruling party leaders off guard, who have been thinking that the promise may be made in the election manifesto.