Telangana govt Hikes Pension for Differently-Abled, Mess Charges for Students

The ruling BRS in Telangana has taken another decision that might pay electoral dividends in the Assembly elections scheduled for later this year.

The Aasara Pension, payable to differently-abled persons, has been hiked to ₹4,016 per month from ₹3,016, according to a Government Order (No 25) issued by the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department.

The measure would benefit more than five lakh differently-abled persons across the state.The scheme has come into force with effect from July.

Aasara Pension scheme

In a tweet, Finance Minister T Harish Rao described the enhancement of pension as “astounding news for the differently-abled” in Telangana.“Like never before in the country, pension for differently-abled persons has been increased to ₹4,016 per month.

This historic decision will benefit more than 5 lakh disabled pensioners.“Our heartfelt gratitude to #CMKCR Garu, this is a testimony of the BRS government whose approach is inclusive and progressive,” he added.

Follows sops for BCs

The ruling BRS has been trying to woo the different sections of the electorate with welfare measures lately.The Aasara pension hike comes close on the heels of the rolling out a dole of ₹1 lakh to each eligible BC beneficiary to help them buy implements necessary for practising their traditional avocations.Already about 5.28 lakh BCs have applied for financial assistance.The help is mostly intended for the most backward classes (MBC) communities, who are still dependent on their traditional avocations to make a living, as they are in dire need of help.

The ₹1 lakh assistance scheme does not cover those who belong to BC castes which are already the beneficiaries of the government schemes like sheep and fish fingerling distribution, Kalyana Lakshmi, and support for overseas studies.A majority of the castes that would benefit from the new scheme would be from among the MBCs who include the Rajakas (washermen), Nayi Branmins (barbers), Kummari (potters), Kamsali (goldsmiths), and so on.Simultaneously, the mess charges, also known as diet charges, for students have been revised for the first time since 2017.The new rates are as follows: Rs 1,200 per month for students from Class 3 to 7, Rs 1,400 per month for students from Class 8 to 10, and Rs 1,875 per month for students from Class 11 to PG-level.This revision comes as a response to the recent increase in food poisoning cases in mess facilities in state-run educational institutions, attributed to the governments failure to adjust the mess charges with the rising prices of essential commodities.

The CMs review of these long-pending issues with concerned ministers and officials at the Secretariat on Saturday paved the way for immediate orders for the implementation of the revised pensions and mess charges.This move comes as a relief for the 5,16,890 differently-abled beneficiaries in the state who were eagerly waiting for the increase in Aasara pensions.

The revision of mess charges is expected to address the challenges faced by contractors in providing adequate and safe meals for students due to the stagnant rates since 2017 and the inflation in food prices over the years.