54 lakh pensioners get benefits in State: Minister Kodali Nani

Amaravati: Minister for Civil Supplies Kodali Nani on Sunday said the YSRCP government has been giving pensions to more than 54 lakh. He was speaking at a press conference in Tadepalli,

Reacting to the statement by TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu that the number of pensioners had come down, the Minister pointed out that in fact, over 6.11 lakh new pensioners were receiving benefits after the YSCRP came to power. A total of 54.64 lakh persons are now benefited by pensions.

He criticised Naidu for trying to defame the government. "Naidu is a 420 and trying to unseat CM Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy to loot the State. The Chief Minister helped about 82 lakh students under Amma Vodi scheme," he added.

The Chief Minister introduced pensions at the doorstep of the beneficiaries to help the senior citizens and physically handicapped pensioners.

He said Jagan Mohan Reddy was providing financial assistance to more than one crore people through various welfare schemes. During TDP rule, only TDP members received pensions, he said. But the Chief Minister was keen on providing benefits of welfare schemes to one and all.

"While China is suffering from the Coronavirus, Andhra Pradesh has yellow virus which is more dangerous than Coronavirus," he said. He added that only 29 villages in the State were against three-capital cities and the entire State was welcoming the government's decision.

He lambasted former MP J C Diwakar Reddy for his comments on government and said that JC buses were running in the state without valid permits. JC was not competent to criticise the Chief Minister, he pointed out.

He questioned why former Finance Minister and TDP leader Yanamala Ramakrishnudu could not secure funds for the development of the State. He said that Yanamala seemed to be out of his mind.