46.86 lakh farmers receive financial assistance under Annadata Sukhibhava-PM KISAN in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said that ₹3,175 crore was disbursed to 46.86 lakh farmers across the State as part of the first instalment of the Annadata Sukhibhava - Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme.

Three instalments

Launching the scheme, which was yet another election-eve promise, at East Veerayapalem village of Darsi mandal in Prakasam district, Mr. Naidu said every eligible farmer would get ₹20,000 per annum in three instalments — ₹7,000 in two tranches and ₹6,000. The first tranche was released on Saturday. Out of the ₹7,000, while the Central government would give ₹2,000, the State government’s share was ₹5,000.

Of the ₹3,175 crore released, the State’s share was ₹2,343 crore, while the Centre gave ₹832 crore.

Addressing the farmers in an agricultural field at Veerayapalem, the Chief Minister said, “This is a historic moment. In Darsi constituency alone, 42,870 farmers will be given ₹29.06 crore.”

Helpline

Mr. Naidu advised the farmers to use the Sukhibhava portal, or call toll-free number ‘155251’ for help in case of any payment issues.

Highlighting the various initiatives taken to strengthen agriculture, including implementation of the ‘Polam Pilustondi’ programme in over 15,232 villages, the Chief Minister said, “Before elections, I promised to usher in welfare and development in the State. I am working hard to improve the standard of life of the people. We have tied up with Jana Sena Party (JSP) and the BJP for the benefit of the State.”

Super Six

“The NDA government is committed to implementing the Super Six schemes despite financial crisis. It has increased pensions [NTR Bharosa] from ₹3,000 to ₹4,000 per month in one go. Today, ₹32,134 crore is being disbursed in a year to 64 lakh social security pension beneficiaries in the State, the highest in the country, which is followed by Telangana, where the figure stands at ₹8,000 crore,” the Chief Minister observed.

This apart, the NDA government was giving financial assistance to mothers of every school-going child under Thalliki Vandanam and three LPG cylinders free of cost annually to each household under Deepam-II scheme, he said.

‘Stree Shakti’

“The government will roll out ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme on August 15, under which women across the State will be able to travel in State-run RTC buses free of cost,” Mr. Naidu said, adding that 2.65 lakh women would benefit from it daily.

“For DWCRA women self-help groups, the government is providing schemes such as Lakhpati Didi and drone pilot training,” he said.