AP CM seeks pensioners support

Vijayawada: Assuring to examine the feasibility of implementing additional pension for above 70 years aged retired government employees, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu appealed to retired employees to motivate and educate the young generation with their rich experience.

Participating in the 40th State Government Pensioners Association Anniversary held here on Monday, the CM recalled that he as the Chief Minister in 1995 for the first time implemented fitment to pensioners. Despite the state facing severe financial crisis post bifurcation, his government has given 43 percent fitment to pensioners on par with the government employees, he said.

He said that medical allowance was enhanced from Rs 200 to Rs300 per month and the death relief amount was increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000. “Very soon health cards to pensioners will also be issued,” said Naidu.

Responding to the demand of pensioners to decrease the age limit from 75 to 70 yrs for getting additional pension, recommended by 2014 PRC, CM assured that he will examine the feasibility of accepting the demand. However, Naidu agreed to allot land for the construction of pensioners’ homes and pensioners association offices wherever needed.

While recalling the ordinance issued by PM Modi’s government immediately after assuming power on merging 7 mandals of Telangana into Andhra Pradesh, Naidu said that after winning the elections, he did not`t take oath as Chief Minister immediately because he was worried of this issue.

“I went to Delhi and met Narendra Modi after he swore-in as Prime Minister. I asked him only one thing. If you didn`t issue ordinance on merging of seven mandals of Telangana in Andhra Pradesh, Polavaram project will not materialize. “I also categorically said to PM that I won`t take oath as CM, if the ordinance was not issued and it is the reason why the decision on issuing notification was taken in the first Union Cabinet meet itself,” disclosed Naidu.

Polavaram is not a mere irrigation project, but it is the lifeline of entire AP, he said. “It is my dream to achieve water security till then I can`t feel self-satisfaction. Every Monday I am reviewing and regularly visiting Polavaram dam site.

I have changed Monday as Polavaram day,” Naidu stated. While indirectly referring the opposition parties, he said some people are provoking the government to end ties with the Centre, which will severely hit the development of the state. “I am maintaining friendly relations with the Centre, which is helping us to get development projects as well as funds for construction of Polavaram project.

The people of AP has gave mandate to me for developing the truncated state, for which I will be thankful to them,” Naidu said. Later, State Pensioners Association president K Someswar Rao said the association with 2.41 lakh members and more than 200 mandal level units and 14 district units for the first time organised state-level convention with the help of APNGO association and AP JAC.

He assured the Chief Minister for all possible help from their side for the development of the state. Revenue Minister KE Krishna Murthy, AP JAC Chairman P Ashok Babu and others were also present.