Pensions Festival Expanded: New Opportunity for Social Security

Vijayawada:The Andhra Pradesh government would widen the scope of its monthly ‘Pensions Festival’, offering fresh opportunities to thousands of eligible citizens under the NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme.

The scheme already supporting 62 lakh beneficiaries, the government now invited more applications from the poor, elderly, widows, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.

Andhra Pradesh ranks highest in India for pension coverage, expenditure, and annual allocations.

Applications for new pensions will be accepted between September 7 and 16 at Swarnagramam and Swarnaward centres. Every stage — from application scrutiny to eligibility verification and government approval — will be completed within a fixed timeframe, ensuring pensions are sanctioned without delay.

Timetable: September 7–16: Application submission, online registration, e-KYC verification. Sept 17–21: General eligibility checks. Sept 22–24: Physical and departmental verification, recommendations. Sept 25–26: Budget proposals via SERP, government approval. Once cleared, pensions will be released in phases to all eligible applicants.

Applicants must submit their Aadhaar, ration or income certificates, and category-specific proofs. These include death certificates for widows, divorce decrees or unmarried certificates for single women, SADAREM disability certificates, and departmental endorsements for weavers, fishermen, toddy tappers, cobblers, drummers, and transgender persons.

The government has transformed pension distribution on the 1st of every month into a festival-like event. For the elderly, it ensures dignity; for widows, financial security; for the disabled, vital support; and for poor families, a lifeline.

Currently, 61.92 lakh beneficiaries receive pensions worth Rs 2,694 crore monthly, covering nearly 12.88 per cent of the state’s population.

Since assuming office, the government led by chief minister Chandrababu Naidu has spent Rs 73,508 crore on pensions. Monthly amounts now stand at Rs 4,000 for the elderly and widows, Rs 6,000 for the disabled, Rs 10,000 for those with severe illnesses, and up to Rs 15,000 for fully disabled individuals.

The NTR Bharosa scheme spans 28 categories, including weavers, fishermen, toddy tappers, single women, traditional cobblers, drummers, transgender persons, and patients with chronic illnesses. By extending pensions to new eligible groups, the government has reaffirmed its image as a welfare administration.