Andhra Pradesh Elections 2024: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the President of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, released the party’s election manifesto for the Andhra Pradesh Elections 2024 on April 27, 2024. The manifesto promises to continue the existing welfare schemes and enhance the benefits under some of them.
At the heart of the manifesto lies a promise to continue the existing welfare schemes that have become the hallmark of the YSRCP’s governance. From the Amma Vodi program, which supports mothers who send their children to school, to the expansive social security pensions for the elderly, these initiatives have transformed the lives of countless Andhraites. Let’s take a dive into the party’s Andhra Pradesh Elections 2024 manifesto and key points.
Amma Vodi Focused In Andhra Pradesh Elections 2024
Under the Amma Vodi scheme, the financial assistance provided to mothers who send their children to school will be increased from the current ₹15,000 per annum to ₹17,000 per annum. Of this, ₹15,000 will be credited directly into the accounts of the mothers, while the remaining ₹2,000 will be used for the School Maintenance Fund (SMF) and Toilet Maintenance Fund (TMF).
Social Security Pensions
The YSRCP government has lowered the eligibility age for old-age pensions from 65 years to 60 years and gradually increased the pension amount over the last five years. Currently, each beneficiary is receiving ₹3,000 per month. The manifesto promises to further enhance the pensions by ₹250 from January 2028 and by another ₹250 from January 2029.
Comparing the old-age pensions in other states, Jagan Mohan Reddy stated that no other state government in the country is providing pensions to the elderly like the YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh. The pension amount in Uttar Pradesh is ₹1,000 per month, in Kerala it is ₹1,600 per month, in Rajasthan it is ₹750 per month, and in Telangana it is ₹2,000 per month. The YSRCP government has increased the pension amount from ₹1,000 per month (when the previous government was in power) to the current ₹3,000 per month, and is spending ₹24,000 crore on pensions, benefiting 66 lakh elderly people.
Strengthening Agricultural Through Rythu Bharosa
Agriculture being a vital sector in Andhra Pradesh, the Rythu Bharosa scheme plays a significant role in supporting farmers. The increase in financial assistance to ₹16,000 per annum and the provision of interest-free crop loans up to ₹3 lakh aim to boost agricultural productivity and alleviate financial burdens on farmers. By extending support to tenant farmers through YSR Sunna Vaddi (interest-free) loans, the government is promoting inclusive growth and sustainable agricultural practices.
YSR Cheyutha and Jagananna Thodu
The YSRCP government will continue the financial assistance provided under the YSR Cheyutha scheme to women aged between 45 and 60 years. The assistance, which was ₹75,000 during the last four years, will be increased to a total of ₹1.50 lakh over the next five years. The benefits under the Jagananna Thodu scheme will also be increased from the existing ₹10,000 to ₹15,000.
Navaratnalu Schemes and Religious Places
The Navaratnalu schemes, which are the nine key welfare programs of the YSRCP government, will be extended to the contract employees who were drawing a salary of ₹25,000 per month. Additionally, special panchayats will be carved out if 50% of the total population in a given area are Dalits. The manifesto also promises to provide maintenance funds for temples, mosques, churches, and all other religious places.
In conclusion, the YSRCP’s election manifesto for the Andhra Pradesh Elections 2024 elections focuses on the continuation and enhancement of the existing welfare schemes, with a particular emphasis on increasing the benefits for various target groups, such as mothers, farmers, women, and the elderly. The party’s commitment to social welfare and inclusive development is evident in the promises made in the manifesto. The manifesto covers a wide range of welfare schemes and initiatives, demonstrating the YSRCP’s focus on improving the lives of the people of Andhra Pradesh.