Amaravati, December 04, 2025: The Andhra Pradesh government has unveiled a seven-point welfare package for its 8.5 lakh differently-abled citizens, aiming to foster dignity and self-reliance through targeted financial, educational, and mobility support.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched the initiatives at a Vijayawada event, emphasising the NDA's commitment to the marginalised. "These are not handouts but bridges to empowerment," Naidu said, projecting the schemes to cover 100% of eligible beneficiaries by mid-2026, with Rs 1,200 crore allocated annually.
The flagship is the monthly pension of Rs 4,000 for 6 lakh beneficiaries, up from Rs 3,000, disbursed via DBT to ensure transparency. Skill development under the Viswakarma scheme trains 50,000 in trades like tailoring and IT, with stipends and job placement guarantees.
Free bus travel on APSRTC routes, including AC services, extends to caregivers, while three-wheelers for the mobility-impaired come with Rs 1 lakh subsidies. Education gets a boost with free higher studies for 10,000 students, including laptops and scholarships.
Healthcare shines with the NTR Vaidya Seva card for cashless treatment up to Rs 5 lakh, covering 20,000 families, and priority in Anna Canteens for nutritious meals. The seventh pillar, the Rainbow Card, unifies all benefits into a single smart ID, streamlining access. Social Welfare Minister Dola Balaveeranjaneya Swamy noted, "This rainbow of schemes ensures no one is left behind, turning challenges into opportunities."
