Pension fest celebrated a day early in State: Savita
The Minister personally visited beneficiaries' homes, handed over the pensions, and enquired about their well-being. She highlighted that, in line with the promises made during the elections, the government has decided to issue pensions in full rather than in phases.
The pension amounts have been increased to ₹4,000 for the elderly, widows, and single women, and to ₹6,000 for differently-abled persons. She Savita criticized the previous administration, noting that while former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy had promised to increase pensions to ₹3,000 in 2019, he implemented the hike in phases, adding only ₹250 increments each year. She credited NT Rama Rao for initiating the social pension scheme and said Chandrababu Naidu is continuing his legacy. Now, pensions of ₹4,000 per month are being issued, she added.
Savita further mentioned that Anna Canteens have been reopened to provide affordable meals for the poor, and three free LPG cylinders are being provided annually to women under welfare schemes.
Since Chandrababu Naidu assumed office, the State has been witnessing rapid development, she said, noting that the past five years were marked by a development vacuum. Highlighting recent development initiatives in Roddham mandal, she revealed that CC roads, drainage systems, and bridges worth ₹11 crore have been initiated.
Additionally, ₹17.5 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of an MJP school. A new building has also been inaugurated at the government hospital with an investment of ₹50 lakh. To support farmers with power infrastructure, a 33/11 kV substation is being constructed at Dodagattu at a cost of ₹3.5 crore, and Bhoomi Puja for another substation at Gourajupalli will be conducted soon. Minister Savita also announced the completion of 44 Gokulam (cattle) sheds across the mandal. She emphasized the implementation of a free sand distribution policy and reiterated that Anna Canteens are now feeding the underprivileged. Once schools reopen, the 'Talli Ki Vandanam' scheme will provide ₹15,000 per child to eligible families.
The 'Annadata Sukhibhava' scheme for farmers is set to be implemented soon, and from August 15, free bus travel for women will also be introduced. The program saw the participation of government officials, NDA alliance leaders, party workers, and a large number of local residents.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Jagan's plan to visit mango market sparks controversy
Tirupati: Tensions are running high between the NDA alliance and the YSRCP ahead of former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy 's scheduled visit to the Bangarupalyam mango market in Chittoor district on Wednesday. The visit comes amid a deepening crisis for mango farmers in the region, who are grappling with a bumper harvest and plummeting prices. The situation worsened after pulp processing units in the district refused to purchase Totapuri mangoes, citing unsold stock from previous seasons. In response, the state govt intervened with a market intervention scheme, offering a subsidy of 4 per kg to farmers. While on one hand the state govt maintains that it has sped up the process of mangoes procurement and everything is under control, the ground reality and the woes of the farmer has only worsened further. While the YSRCP leaders maintain that the former CM has scheduled his visit to Chittoor district to expose govt's failure leading to the crisis, the NDA parties have questioned the very timing of Jagan's visit to Chittoor district. State biodiversity board chairman Neelayapalem Vijay Kumar and TTD board member and BJP functionary G Bhanu Prakash Reddy questioned the rationale behind Jagan's visit to the mango market in Chittoor district when the mango season itself was drawing to an end in a couple of weeks. "When the YSRCP was in power and there was a slump in mango prices the mango farmers were in distress, Jagan did nothing to extend support to farmers", Neelayapalem added.
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Guntur will be made a poverty-free district through P4, says Minister
District In-Charge Minister Kandula Durgesh emphasised the government's commitment to transform Guntur into a 'poverty-free' district through grassroots implementation of the P4 (Public Private People Partnership) programme. Chairing the Guntur District Review Committee meeting at the Collectorate here on Tuesday, the Minister directed officials and elected representatives to intensify outreach of welfare schemes and ensure timely delivery of services. The Minister reviewed progress on key areas like agriculture, horticulture, irrigation, drinking water, roads, Anganwadi centres, pensions, and flagship schemes such as Thalliki Vandanam, Annadata Sukhibhava, and NTR Bharosa. He lauded the national recognition for Guntur chilli under One District One Product (ODOP) initiative. Mr. Durgesh stressed resolving farmers' loan disbursement delays and warned banks against technical excuses. He also discussed MSME development, GGH hospital staff accountability, and infrastructural gaps in Guntur Auto Nagar. He revealed that ₹14 crore was sanctioned for 3,000 tenant farmers and 37 kisan drones were approved. Elected representatives, including Rajya Sabha MP Alla Ayodhya Ramireddy, MLAs, MLCs, and the ZP Chairperson, besides the District Collector, the SP, and other senior officials participated in the meeting.
India.com
4 hours ago
- India.com
Battle For Bihar: Will Votes 2025 Herald A Political Shake-Up?
By Ramakant Chaudhary The Bihar Assembly Elections, slated for October-November 2025, promise to be a high-stakes contest that could change the matrix of the state's political dynamics. With a population of 13.07 crore and a history rooted in caste-based politics, Bihar remains a critical battleground for national and regional parties. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), faces a formidable challenge from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Mahagathbandhan and a new entrant, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party. As the first major election following Operation Sindoor, the polls will test whether Bihar's voters seek continuity or change. The NDA, comprising JD(U), BJP, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJP(RV)), and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), enters the fray with a mixed record. Nitish Kumar, a veteran of Bihar politics, has steered the state through development milestones like improved roads and electricity but faces criticism for his frequent alliance switches. His return to the NDA before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections helped the coalition secure 30 of Bihar's 40 seats, with BJP and JD(U) winning 12 each, LJP(RV) 5, and HAM 1. However, a C-Voter survey indicates that Nitish's credibility has taken a hit, with his approval rating dropping from 60 percent to 16-17 percent over a decade of political flip-flops. The BJP, riding on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) support, aims to consolidate its grip, as seen in its recent dominance in the state cabinet, holding 21 of 36 portfolios. The RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, including Congress and Left parties, is banking on Tejashwi Yadav's youthful appeal and a narrative of jobs and social justice. In 2020, the RJD emerged as the single-largest party with 75 seats, capitalising on anti-incumbency against the NDA's 20-year rule. Tejashwi's MY-BAAP strategy-targeting Muslim-Yadav, Bahujan (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes), Aghda(forward, i.e. upper castes), Aadi Aabaadi (half the population, i.e. women) and Poor-aims to broaden the RJD's base beyond its traditional Muslim-Yadav vote bank. However, the alliance's limited success in 2024, winning only 9 Lok Sabha seats (RJD 4, Congress 3, CPI(ML) 2), exposed vulnerabilities, particularly Congress's waning influence and internal factionalism. Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party introduces a fresh dynamic, promising governance free of caste politics. Launched in October 2024, it secured 10 percent vote share in the November 2024 by-elections but failed to win any of the four seats contested. Its focus on education, health, and clean governance resonates with urban youth but struggles to penetrate rural Bihar, where caste loyalties dominate. Jan Suraaj's plan to field candidates in all 243 seats could split the anti-incumbency vote, potentially benefiting the NDA. Voter Pulse The 2024 Lok Sabha election results offer insights into Bihar's voter sentiment. The NDA's 30-seat haul reflected its organisational strength and Nitish Kumar's enduring rural appeal, particularly among Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs, 36.01 percent) and Kurmis (2.87percent) through his Luv-Kush strategy. However, its tally fell from 39 seats in 2019, indicating cracks in its dominance. The BJP's losses in Shahabad and Magadh, where Koeri voters shifted to the RJD, underscored the fluidity of caste alignments. The Mahagathbandhan's 9 seats, up from 1 in 2019, signalled a resurgence, with Tejashwi's outreach to EBCs and youth yielding dividends in constituencies like Aurangabad. Yet, the RJD's inability to breach the NDA's strongholds exposed its reliance on Muslim (18percent) and Yadav (14.26percent) votes. The 2024 by-elections further clarified voter trends. The NDA's sweep of all four seats-Belaganj, Ramgarh, Tarari, and Imamganj-highlighted its coalition cohesion and Nitish's resilience despite health concerns. The RJD's loss in Belaganj, a traditional stronghold, to JD(U)'s Manorama Devi by over 21,000 votes was a setback, though Tejashwi dismissed it as a minor hiccup. Jan Suraaj's third-place finishes in three seats showed potential but also its limited electoral heft. These results suggest that while anti-incumbency exists, the NDA's development narrative and caste engineering still hold sway. Bihar's 2023 caste survey underscores the centrality of caste in its politics. EBCs (36.01 percent), OBCs (27.13percent), Scheduled Castes (SCs, 19.65percent), and Scheduled Tribes (STs, 1.68percent) constitute 84.47percent of the population, with Yadavs (14.26percent) and Koeris (4.21percent) being key OBC groups. Forward castes, including Brahmins (3.65percent) and Rajputs (3.45percent), form just 15.52percent. The NDA's Luv-Kush alliance, uniting Kurmis and Koeris, has been a game-changer for Nitish, countering the RJD's Muslim-Yadav base. However, the RJD's MY-BAAP strategy seeks to chip away at EBC and SC votes, with mixed success in 2024. Jan Suraaj's caste-neutral pitch faces an uphill battle in a state where identity drives voting behaviour, as seen in its by-election performance. Political Flashpoint The 2025 election is the first since Operation Sindoor, a crackdown on terrorism that has sparked debate. The BJP has hailed it as a triumph of nationalism and defeat of terrorism, while the RJD and Congress accuse the NDA of politicising it to consolidate Hindu votes. This controversy could polarise voters, with the NDA leveraging it to project a tough stance and the RJD framing it as an overreach to distract from governance failures. The operation's impact on voter sentiment, particularly among urban and upper-caste voters, will be crucial. Bihar's electoral landscape varies across regions. In urban areas like Patna and Muzaffarpur, the NDA's development record-roads, electricity, and law enforcement-finds favour. However, rural regions like Seemanchal and Tirhut grapple with floods, agrarian distress, and migration, fuelling discontent. Tejashwi's promise of 10 lakh jobs and loan waivers targets these concerns, though doubts about feasibility persist. Jan Suraaj's focus on education and health appeals to aspirational voters but lacks rural traction without a caste anchor. Women voters, empowered by Nitish's liquor ban, are a key demographic. The NDA aims to retain their support through welfare schemes, while the RJD counters with financial aid promises. Technology is another frontier, with the BJP's digital campaigns clashing with the RJD's grassroots WhatsApp networks. Jan Suraaj's viral outreach targets youth, but low literacy and digital access in rural Bihar limit its impact. Nitish Kumar's health and leadership face scrutiny, with opposition leaders like Tejashwi and Prashant Kishor questioning his fitness. Speculation about Nitish's son, Nishant Kumar, contesting from Harnaut adds intrigue, potentially signaling a succession plan. The BJP's cryptic remarks about deciding the chief minister post-election have strained ties with JD(U), which insists on Nitish as the NDA's face. Tejashwi, backed by Lalu Prasad, is the Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial candidate, with 38.3percent support in opinion polls against Nitish's 35.6percent. Prashant Kishor, while ruling himself out as a chief ministerial contender, claims Jan Suraaj will produce Bihar's next leader, a bold but untested assertion. Will 2025 Change Bihar's Course? The 2025 election is a litmus test for Bihar's political future. The NDA's stability and development record face off against the Mahagathbandhan's populist promises and Jan Suraaj's reformist vision. Historical trends show Bihar's voters are swayed by caste coalitions and tactical alliances, but rising demands for jobs, infrastructure, and quality of life signal a subtle shift. The NDA's by-election sweep and Lok Sabha dominance suggest it enters with an edge, but anti-incumbency and Tejashwi's youth appeal keep the contest open. Jan Suraaj, despite its buzz, risks being a spoiler unless it builds a robust rural base. The election's outcome will reverberate beyond Bihar, shaping national politics ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. An NDA victory would cement BJP's dominance and Nitish's relevance, while a Mahagathbandhan win could revive the INDIA bloc. Jan Suraaj's performance, even if modest, could signal a new paradigm if it sustains momentum. For Bihar's 13.07 crore people, the ballot will decide whether the state continues its incremental progress or embraces a new direction, balancing caste loyalties with aspirations for change.
