AP Govt. Assures Continuation of Disability Pensions, Uncovers 80,000 Fake Claims

Andhra Pradesh MSME Minister Kondapalli Srinivas addressed growing concerns about the future of disability pensions in the state, confirming that individuals with more than 40% disability would continue receiving financial assistance.

Speaking to the media at the Secretariat, Srinivas clarified that the government had raised the monthly disability pension from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000. Those with complete disability, he added, would now be eligible for Rs 15,000 per month.

Srinivas explained that the recent reverification process, which had sparked fears of pension cuts, was intended not to deprive legitimate beneficiaries but to weed out irregularities. The exercise was prompted by reports of fake beneficiaries in districts like Konaseema and Kadapa. “The aim was to ensure that financial aid reaches only the deserving individuals,” said the Minister.

The government’s extensive reverification exercise, covering 7.95 lakh pension cases, uncovered over 80,000 fraudulent beneficiaries who had allegedly secured pensions by submitting forged certificates. Mr. Srinivas detailed that 5.55 lakh cases had been reassessed through home visits and medical evaluations carried out at 125 centers over the past nine months. Notices were issued to those found ineligible, and all manual certificates underwent a thorough review.

In an effort to support those initially excluded from the disability pension scheme, the Minister announced that over 20,000 individuals would be enrolled in alternative welfare programs, including old-age and widow pensions, starting this month. However, he made it clear that individuals with less than 40% disability would no longer qualify for the disability pension.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of genuinely deserving individuals, Srinivas concluded by reassuring the public that no eligible person would lose access to the financial aid meant to support their well-being.