Former MLA and YSR Congress leader TJR Sudhakar Babu condemned the recent pension reassessment guidelines issued by the Andhra Pradesh Government, labeling them as politically motivated and a betrayal of vulnerable populations. The government memo, dated January 3, outlines verification and reassessment protocols for health and disability pensions under the NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme.
While presented as a measure to ensure equitable distribution, Sudhakar Babu alleged that the initiative targets pensioners unfairly, especially the disabled and mentally challenged. “Chandrababu harbored animosity against pensioners, pretending to increase pensions while actually slashing them,” he said.
He accused Naidu of turning pension distribution into a political tool, administering it through Janmabhoomi committees, which is a cruel and unjust practice. In contrast, Sudhakar Babu commended former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s governance, stating that “pensions were distributed solely based on eligibility.”
He highlighted that under Jagan’s leadership, 66.34 lakh people are received pensions, while Chandrababu had removed pensions for 3.53 lakh beneficiaries and planned further cuts through newly formed committees.
“Chandrababu even halted pensions during elections through a conspiracy, forcing hundreds of beneficiaries to travel and ultimately lose their lives due to the stress,” he said. He questioned the rationale behind the current verification process led by new committees, calling it “inhumane and politically motivated.” He further condemned the humiliation faced by disabled and mentally challenged individuals during this process. “112 teams are working to unjustly terminate pensions. We will fight legally against any unfair removal of pensions and hold officials accountable in court,” he vowed.
The former MLA also accused Naidu of undermining public welfare schemes during his tenure from 2014-2019. “He rendered Aarogyasri ineffective, failed to maintain 108 ambulance services, and even neglected to provide fuel for them. Former CM Jagan has rectified these lapses, but now, Aarogyasri is again under threat due to Chandrababu’s policies,” he warned.
Sudhakar Babu urged the public to stand against these actions, reiterating that welfare should prioritize people’s needs over political gains. “We will not allow a single eligible pensioner to suffer,” he said.
