AP Govt Launches Divyang Shakti Scheme

VIJAYAWADA: In a significant welfare initiative marking the festive occasion of Ugadi, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday formally launched the Divyang Shakti scheme, offering free bus travel to persons with disabilities across the state.

The scheme was inaugurated at Mangalagiri bus stand in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan and education minister Nara Lokesh.

The initiative, introduced as an Ugadi gift, is expected to benefit over 12.76 lakh individuals across the state. To mark the occasion, the leaders travelled alongside differently-abled beneficiaries in an APSRTC bus from Mangalagiri to Penumaka, covering a distance of about 11km.

During the journey, they interacted with passengers, listened to their concerns, and explained the government’s welfare measures.

Naidu said, “Under the Divyang Shakti scheme, free travel is being extended to persons with more than 40 per cent disability, across 21 categories of APSRTC services, including City Ordinary, Metro Express, Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, and Express buses. The state government will bear an annual burden of `207 crore, which would be paid to the transport corporation directly for the free services rendered under this scheme.”

In addition, the attendants accompanying the differently-abled will receive a 50 per cent concession in fares, he said.

The CM hosted an informal dinner at his residence for several beneficiaries of the scheme, where he personally interacted with them and shared a meal along with Lokesh. The gesture was widely appreciated by the participants, who described the scheme as a mark of empathy and inclusiveness.

Several beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the CM, noting that the initiative could help them save up to `2,000 per month in travel expenses.

The CM said the government was committed to instilling confidence among the differently-abled and enabling them to showcase their abilities to the world. “Differently-abled individuals are uniquely talented and possess the resilience to overcome challenges. Our focus is not merely on expenditure, but on enhancing their dignity,” he said, extending Ugadi greetings to them.

Highlighting the past and ongoing welfare measures, Naidu stated that the government currently provided a monthly pension of `6,000 to differently-abled persons — an increase from the `500 over the years. Those with severe health conditions receive `10,000, while bedridden individuals are given `15,000. The state spends approximately `33,000 crore annually on pensions, he said.

The CM said previous initiatives such as distribution of laptops, scooters and tricycles, along with sports training programmes, have helped empower the differently-abled. The government plans to further support them in achieving excellence at national and international levels.

Naidu also noted that welfare programmes like ‘Stree Shakti’ for women have already recorded 52 crore free bus journeys, and the Divyang Shakti scheme would similarly benefit lakhs of people.

Some beneficiaries, however, raised their concern about misuse of disability benefits by ineligible individuals. They urged the government to conduct strict verification to ensure that only genuine beneficiaries received pensions and job reservations.

Several attendees expressed the hope that the alliance government would continue for years, ensuring sustained welfare support. While acknowledging the challenges of living with disabilities, they said the government’s proactive approach had brought them a sense of security and dignity.