PaperDabba News Desk: July 13, 2024
The Andhra Pradesh government’s soon-to-be-implemented ‘Thalliki Vandhanam’ scheme has sparked controversy with YSRCP leaders alleging discrepancies between initial promises and current plans. Initially, the government claimed assistance would be given to each child under the scheme, but now it seems only mothers will receive the benefit. YSRCP leaders have been voicing their concerns over the past two days, with Perni Nani recently joining the chorus of criticism.
Perni Nani: Public Not Happy
In a press meet at the YSRCP office, Perni Nani accused the government of making empty promises to gain power, only to reconsider their implementation now. He remarked that while coalition leaders are content, the public is not. Nani claimed that the ‘Thalliki Vandhanam’ scheme is merely a rebranded version of Jagan Mohan Reddy’s ‘Amma Vodi’ program and accused the government of deceiving the public by promising to provide assistance to every child but now limiting it to mothers alone. He referred to the recently issued G.O. MS.29, stating that it mentions assistance only for mothers, contradicting previous election promises.
Gudiwada Amarnath’s Response
Former minister Gudiwada Amarnath also expressed his concerns regarding the scheme. He demanded that the ‘Thalliki Vandhanam’ scheme be extended to all students in both government and private schools, echoing the doubts among parents about its implementation. Amarnath presented a video of Nimmala Ramanaidu’s election campaign to the media, which showcased the promises made regarding the scheme.
Government’s Clarification
In response to the YSRCP’s criticisms, the government clarified that no guidelines for the implementation of the ‘Thalliki Vandhanam’ scheme have been finalized yet. They emphasized that G.O. MS.29 pertains only to Aadhaar regulations and nowhere specifies that assistance will be given to only one child. The government has yet to complete a full review and finalize eligibility criteria for the scheme. The confusion appears to stem from the Aadhaar-based G.O., which has sparked the controversy.
The government assured that a thorough review of the ‘Thalliki Vandhanam’ scheme would be conducted, and clear guidelines would be established to ensure transparency and fairness. The public awaits the final decision on this crucial welfare scheme.