Chandrababu’s pension distribution, a publicity stunt

Tadepalli, April 1: YSRCP spokesperson and former MLC Jupudi Prabhakar Rao criticized CM Chandrababu Naidu for turning pension distribution into a publicity event rather than a genuine welfare initiative. 

Speaking to the media, he accused Naidu of misleading the public on pensions, state debts, VSP,  and Mega DSC recruitment.

Jupudi pointed out that instead of ensuring a smooth pension distribution system, Naidu visits villages, hands out pensions to a few individuals, delivers long speeches, and projects this as a grand initiative. In contrast, the previous YSRCP government implemented Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), ensuring Rs. 2.72 lakh crore was directly credited into beneficiaries’ accounts without unnecessary publicity.

He further criticized Naidu’s past pension policies, recalling that between 2014–2019, TDP provided only Rs. 1,000 per month, spending Rs. 400 crore monthly, while the YSRCP government increased pensions to Rs. 3,000, spending nearly Rs. 2,000 crore monthly. Despite this, the current government has already reduced three lakh pensions, with budget allocations falling short by Rs. 5,000 crore, indicating further cuts.

On the VSP, Jupudi accused Naidu of misleading the public, noting that 40,000 outsourcing employees were removed while the Union government confirmed disinvestment plans. Similarly, he criticized Naidu’s unfulfilled promises on Mega DSC, questioning how unemployed youth could trust him.

Jupudi also dismissed Naidu’s fluctuating debt claims, stating that the actual figure stands at Rs. 5.62 lakh crore as per the Union government. He accused Naidu of using debt as an excuse to delay his “Super Six” promises. 

Concluding, Jupudi urged Naidu to focus on governance rather than publicity stunts.