Andhra Pradesh will transfer welfare dole just ahead of polls

HYDERABAD: Between April 1 and 5, lakhs of households in Andhra Pradesh will receive anywhere between Rs 8,000 and Rs 70,000 in their bank accounts as beneficiaries of the state government’s various schemes. Political observers say that in the hotly contested assembly election, this bonanza could be an important factor ahead of polling day.

The Election Commission has already said that direct money transfer to beneficiaries in schemes already in place can continue and will not be in violation of the model code of conduct in place for the elections to be held on April 11.

It is estimated that the monthly pensions (old age, disabled and widows with around 55 lakh beneficiaries), Pasupu Kunkuma installment (93 lakh women beneficiaries), the fourth and fifth instalment of loan waiver to farmers, Yuvanestham (unemployed youth numbering 4.5 lakh), Annadatha Sukhibhava (state scheme of farmers for 51 lakh cultivators in addition to the PM Kisan scheme) will bring in a small fortune to these families ahead of poll day.

Andhra Pradesh Planning Board vice-chairman Ch Kutumba Rao told TOI, “Apart from monthly and yearly schemes, for farm loan waiver the fourth and fifth instalment will be distributed to 32 lakh as the assembly has already passed the appropriation bill and budget provision has been made. We will make payments as per the fund's position,” he said. “In all probability, we will pay the fourth and fifth instalments of farm loan waiver in the first week of April.”

He, however, does not see the April money transfer as a gamechanger. “People will vote for TDP because we have been working for the welfare of the people and development of the state,” he said.

YSR Congress alleged the people are aware that Naidu has taken up the schemes only for elections. Party spokesperson Vasireddy Padma said, “People know that money transfer is only an election trick. Why did the government not give farm loan waiver all these years? Why did not the Dwcra women get loans all this while? Farmers are not getting MSP for their produce and the rural economy died during Naidu's rule?”