Volutneers Ban boomerang on TDP or YCP?.The recent ban imposed on village/ward volunteers from disbursing social security pensions, including to the elderly, has become a focal point in Andhra Pradesh's political landscape. The ruling YSRC sees this ban as a potential boon, while it spells trouble for the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), with party chief Chandrababu Naidu being portrayed as the instigator behind this decision by the Election Commission.
The TDP has long criticized the YSRC, alleging that the ruling party was using these volunteers for various services, including election-related activities. This led to a complaint lodged by the TDP with the election authorities, prompting the EC to issue directives banning volunteers from participating in election-related work and distributing cash benefits under pension and other schemes.
However, the ban has had adverse effects on the beneficiaries, including the elderly, single women, widows, disabled individuals, and others. These beneficiaries used to receive a monthly enhanced pension of Rs 3,000 at their doorstep through the volunteers, benefiting nearly 66.34 lakh people across Andhra Pradesh. The government, under Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, has spent a substantial amount, Rs 83,526 crore, on pensions since assuming power in 2019, significantly higher than the expenditure by the previous TDP government.
To address the concerns of the affected beneficiaries, the government has assured that guidelines for the disbursement of pensions will be formulated promptly. Chief Secretary K.S. Jawahar Reddy has stated that staff from village/ward secretariats and other employees will be mobilized to ensure the seamless distribution of pensions from April 3 onwards.