61.28 lakh beneficiaries to receive pensions in August under Andhra's YSR Pension Kanuka

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government will deliver pensions to the doorsteps of 61.28 lakh beneficiaries, including 2.20 lakh new pensioners who applied in July, on 1 August under the YSR Pension Kanuka.

The state government will spend Rs. 1,478.90 crore under the pension scheme and around 2.68 lakh volunteers will visit the homes of the beneficiaries to distribute the pensions.

In August, nearly 6,734 pensioners will avail of their pensions through portability while the pensions of 1,458 beneficiaries have been put on hold because they are stranded in other places due to the lockdown. The government also said that 1,52,095 beneficiaries who have not received their pensions for the past six months will receive the entire amount this month.

In addition to these, 1,568 health pensions were also added to the list and the beneficiaries can avail of the financial aid from August. The increase in the number of pensions will cost the government Rs. 51.67 crore.

"Pensions that were being offered under various corporations like Brahmin corporation, Kapu, SC, ST, BC, EBC, and minorities corporations have been brought under the YSR Pension Kanuka. The beneficiaries will receive their pension of Rs. 2,250 at their doorsteps," said an official.

Amidst COVID-19, officials have started using geotagging technology replacing the biometric system for safe distribution. To prevent the spread of the virus, volunteers will use the photo-identification method. An app has been developed to take photos of the beneficiaries.