Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday released Rs 87.32 crore towards the YSR Kalyanamasthu and the YSR Shaadi Tohfa schemes to benefit 12,132 eligible girls who got married during January to March quarter in 2023.
The amount would be directly credited into the bank accounts of beneficiaries belonging to the SC, ST, BC, Minorities, disabled, and construction workers.
Depositing the amount at the click of a button virtually at his camp office here, Reddy said that the scheme is not only meant to financially support the girls but also making Class X mandatory for implementation of the scheme which will change the mindset of the parents to educate their children.
The implementation of Amma Vodi and Jagananna Vidya Deevena and Vasthi Deevena would usher in a revolution in the education sector in the State by drastically reducing the dropout rate in schools and increasing the enrolment.
The government believes that education is the only weapon to eradicate poverty from society. Out of the total 12,132 beneficiaries identified for YSR Kalyanamasthu and Shaadi Tohfa schemes, as many as 5,929 beneficiaries are receiving Jagananna Vidya Deveena and Vasthi Deevenna schemes.
In addition to the assistance provided now, within a span of six months 16,668 eligible girls benefited from the scheme and the government has credited Rs 125.50 crore directly into their accounts, he said.
Drawing a parallel with the previous TDP regime, the Chief Minister said that the earlier government has implemented the scheme ahead of elections but the YSRCP Government is implementing the scheme in full transparency with enhanced incentives.
As many as 17,709 beneficiaries were left high and dry in 2018 as the TDP failed to credit Rs 70 crore. While SC, ST, BC, and Minority beneficiaries got Rs 40,000, Rs 50,000, Rs 35,000, and Rs 50,000 each during the TDP rule, the YSRCP Government hiked it to Rs 1,00,000, Rs 1,00,000 Rs 50,000, and Rs 1,00,000 respectively.
While the differently abled people and construction workers received Rs 1,00,000 and Rs 20,000 each in the TDP rule, they will now get the hiked benefit of Rs 1,50,000 and Rs. 40,000 respectively.
Similarly, the incentives of SC, ST, and BC beneficiaries who opted for inter-caste marriage went up to Rs 1,20,000 from Rs 75,000 each, to Rs 1, 20,000 from Rs 75,000 each, and to Rs 75,000 from Rs 50,000 each respectively.
Later, Reddy also virtually interacted with some of the beneficiaries.
Ministers M Nagarjuna, KV Usha Sricharan, G Jayaram, Special Chief Secretary (BC Welfare) G Anantha Ramu, and Special CS (Village and Ward Secretariats) Ajay Jain were among those who were present.
