Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced that the government has distributed more than ₹65,887 crore under the NTR Bharosa pension programme since July 2024, and nearly ₹32,000 crore is being spent annually on pensions alone. In June, ₹2,729 crore has been allocated for the disbursement of pensions to 62.34 lakh beneficiaries.

Addressing a gathering of beneficiaries of the social welfare pensions during the 21st Pedala Sevalo programme at Chamavaram village in the Tuni constituency of Kakinada district on Monday, Mr. Naidu said that June would always remain a historic month in Andhra Pradesh’s political journey as it marked the people’s mandate against destructive governance and the formation of the coalition government.

Mr. Naidu said that aid under the Thalliki Vandanam scheme would be disbursed to mothers of students immediately after the reopening of schools. 

On health care initiatives, Mr. Naidu said that AI-enabled healthcare assistance would be introduced to help people access doctor appointments, medicines and health-related information in a more convenient manner. He announced that Yogandhra 2026 would be observed across the State through a 14-day campaign till June 21, with large-scale public participation planned from the village to the State level.

Funds for harbour

Responding to an appeal from Tuni MLA Yanamala Divya over the Ameenabad harbour project, Mr. Naidu announced ₹80 crore to complete the construction of the harbour off Uppada coast.

Mr. Naidu pledged to sanction 200 fishing boats for the fisherfolk in Andhra Pradesh. However, he sought time to take a call on the viability of offering a subsidy on diesel for those engaged in fishing.

The Polavaram irrigation project would be commissioned before the commencement of the Godavari Pushkarams-2027, he said, adding the Polavaram Left Main Canal works would be completed by next July. 

Minister P. Narayana, Kakinada MP Tangella Uday Srinivas, Tuni MLA Yanamala Divya and Kakinada district Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad were among those present.