Vijayawada: Pensions to be distributed to beneficiaries at doorstep today

Vijayawada: Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Botcha Satyanarayana has announced that all arrangements have been made for distribution of pensions to beneficiaries at their doorstep on Sunday.

Addressing a media conference after conducting a review at the Ward Secretariat in Machilipatnam on Saturday, Satyanarayana said the State government had started distribution of pensions at the doorsteps of the beneficiaries in February. It would continue in the State.

Referring to the cancellation of pensions to nearly 4.50 lakh beneficiaries, the Minister said the government is conducting an inquiry into the issue and efforts are on to restore pensions to all eligible persons.

Many people had not received pensions as their power consumption crossed of 300 units and also because of the fact that they are Income Tax assesses and other reasons. He said the government would consider the requests of the applicants and will try to sanction pensions to all eligible. He said the matter was taken to the notice of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. He said some poor families can live in separate portions but there are one power connection and only one power meter and in such cases their grievances can be addressed.

Satyanarayana said the State government is ready to conduct local body elections as soon as the court delivers its verdict on reservations. The government is also ready to conduct elections to 110 municipalities and municipal corporations. Referring to the drinking water problem in summer, he said so far three meetings were conducted to address the drinking water problem. He said an action plan will be prepared to ensure that there is no drinking water scarcity in the State. He said drinking water will be supplied by tankers wherever there is need. Transport Minister Perni Nani, Machilipatnam MP Vallabhaneni Balashowri, Pedana MLA Jogi Ramesh, District Collector Md Imtiaz and others were present.