The “YSR Pension Kanuka” is a comprehensive social security scheme introduced by the Panchayat Raj & Rural Development Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Its primary objective is to mitigate the hardships faced by vulnerable sections of society—including the elderly, widows, persons with disability, transgender individuals, and several other economically and socially disadvantaged groups—thereby ensuring a dignified life for these beneficiaries. In 2019, the scheme saw significant enhancements, including increased pension amounts and revised eligibility criteria to broaden its coverage.
Benefits
- Old Age, Widow, Weavers, Toddy Tappers, Fishermen, Single Women, Traditional Cobblers, and PLHIV (ART Pensions):
Monthly pension of ₹2,250/- - Persons with Disability:
Monthly pension of ₹3,000/- - CKDU/Dialysis (Chronic Kidney Disease) Patients:
Monthly pension of ₹10,000/- - In the Event of Death:
For Old Age, Weaver, Fishermen, Toddy Tappers, or Disabled category pensioners, if the beneficiary dies, the pension is sanctioned to the spouse (wife) at the same rate as the Widow Category Pension.
Common Eligibility Criteria
- Income Limits:
- Rural Areas: Total family income must be less than ₹10,000/- per month
- Urban Areas: Total family income must be less than ₹12,000/- per month
- Land Holding:
- Less than 3.00 acres of wet land, or less than 10.00 acres of dry land, or less than 10.00 acres total of both
- Asset Ownership:
The family should not own a four-wheeler (except for taxis, tractors, and autos), and no family member should be a Government employee or pensioner. - Electricity Consumption:
Monthly electricity consumption should be less than 300 units for the dwelling unit. - Built-Up Area in Municipal Areas:
Less than 750 sq. ft. - Income Tax:
No family member should be an income tax payee. - One Pension Per Family:
Only one pension per family is allowed unless special conditions apply (e.g., a family with a disabled person with 80% and above disability, dialysis patients, severe mental retardation, or PLHIV receiving ART, as per GO and Memo details).
Category-Wise Eligibility
- Old Age:
- For Scheduled Tribes: 50 years and above
- For others: 60 years and above
- Widow:
18 years and above - Disabled:
At least 40% disability (no age limit) - Weavers, Toddy Tappers, Fishermen:
50 years and above (Toddy tappers eligible if members of the Toddy Co-operative Societies or under the Tree For Tappers scheme) - ART Pensions (PLHIV):
Minimum 6 months of continuous treatment in an ART Centre - Dialysis Pension (CKDU):
No age limit; monthly dialysis treatment is required - Transgender:
18 years and above - Single Women:
- Rural: 30 years and above
- Urban: 35 years and above
- Dappu Artists:
50 years and above - Traditional Cobblers:
40 years and above - For Specific Diseases:
- Thalassemia Major, Sickle Cell disease, Severe Hemophilia (<2% of factor 8 or 9), Bilateral Elephantiasis-Grade 4: No age limit
- Persons with conditions confining them to wheelchairs or beds (paralysis, severe muscular dystrophy, accident victims): No age limit
- CKDU (Chronic Kidney Disease) patients (Stage 3, 4 & 5 not on dialysis): No age limit, subject to specified clinical criteria (e.g., serum creatinine levels, kidney size, estimated GFR)
Reservation / Preference / Priority
- Priority is given to SC households, practicing artisans (e.g., weavers, toddy tappers, barbers, washer men, potters, blacksmiths, carpenters, cobblers, animal herders, village artists), other Backward Classes, daily laborers, migratory laborers, nomadic tribes, households with destitute/orphans, households with disabled members, and other poor households.
Application Process
The application process is conducted offline through multiple steps:
- Identification:
Village/Ward Volunteers identify eligible persons for the social security pension under YSR Pension Kanuka. - Physical Verification:
Volunteers conduct a social audit and physical verification against the eligibility conditions. - Initial Recommendations:
Recommendations are forwarded by volunteers to the Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) or Municipal Commissioner (MC). - Review:
The MPDO/MC reviews and forwards the application to the Extension Officer (Panchayat Raj & Rural Development). - Verification:
The Extension Officer (PR&RD) verifies the application and makes recommendations. - Publication of Lists:
Based on recommendations and eligibility calculations, provisional eligible lists and a reverification list (with reasons for ineligibility) are published in all secretariats. - Grievance Redressal:
Applicants in the reverification list can file grievances if they contest the reasons for ineligibility. - Finalization:
The final list of eligible and ineligible beneficiaries is published in all secretariats. - Final Grievance Process:
Citizens on the final ineligible list can raise further grievances via the Citizen Schemes Portal. - Disbursement:
Eligible beneficiaries receive the pension through the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS). Volunteers or designated personnel confirm receipt via eKYC (biometric authentication).
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card:
(Aadhaar details will be matched with ration card data) - For Widow Pension:
Death Certificates of Husband - For Disabled Pension:
Certificate of Disability (SADAREM) - For Toddy Tappers:
Toddy Tapper Certificate (issued by the Excise Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh) - For Weavers:
Weavers Certificate (Occupation Certificate from the Handloom Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh) - Caste Certificate:
(if applicable) - Children Certificates:
(Study Certificate for applicable beneficiaries) - Proof of Age / Date of Birth
- Marriage Certificate
- Medical Board Certificate:
(for relevant categories) - For ART Pensions:
Proof of treatment in an ART Centre - For Transgender Applicants:
Gender Identity Certificate (issued by a competent medical authority) - For Fishermen:
Certificate from the Department of Fisheries - Other Documents:
Additional documents are furnished by the Social Welfare Department for specific categories like Dappu Artists, Traditional Cobblers, persons with Thalassemia Major, Sickle Cell disease, Severe Hemophilia, and others as per respective government orders.
Note: Certain proofs (e.g., for Dappu Artists, Traditional Cobblers, and persons with specific diseases) are provided by the respective departments and verified at the field level.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Which Department manages the “YSR Pension Kanuka” scheme?
The scheme is managed by the Panchayat Raj & Rural Development Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. -
What are the objectives of this scheme?
The scheme aims to alleviate poverty and provide social security to the poor and vulnerable—including the elderly, widows, persons with disabilities, transgender individuals, and various other disadvantaged groups—to help them live a dignified life. -
What were the amendments made in 2019?
In 2019, the pension amounts were enhanced (e.g., old age, widow, weavers, toddy tappers, fishermen, single women, traditional cobblers, and PLHIV received ₹2,250/-, persons with disability received ₹3,000/-, and CKDU/dialysis patients received ₹10,000/-) and the age for old age pensioners was reduced from 65 to 60 years. -
Why were the eligibility criteria revised in 2019?
The criteria were revised to ensure that all needy people, regardless of their background, could benefit from the pension scheme. -
How much is the monthly pension for traditional cobblers, persons with disabilities, and CKDU/dialysis patients?
Traditional Cobblers receive ₹2,250/-, persons with disabilities receive ₹3,000/-, and CKDU/dialysis patients receive ₹10,000/- per month. -
Where can I find the scheme guidelines?
The guidelines are available on the official website and relevant government notifications. -
What are the income and land holding criteria?
The family’s total income must be below ₹10,000/- per month in rural areas and ₹12,000/- in urban areas. Land holding must be less than 3 acres (wet), or less than 10 acres (dry), or less than 10 acres combined. -
What are the asset criteria regarding vehicles and government employment?
The family must not own a four-wheeler (with specified exemptions), and no family member should be a government employee or pensioner. -
What is the maximum allowable monthly electricity consumption?
It should be less than 300 units per month. -
Can I apply if one family member is an income tax payer?
No, no family member should be an income tax payee. -
What are the specific age criteria for various categories (e.g., toddy tappers, transgender, dappu artists)?
Age criteria vary by category; for instance, toddy tappers and weavers must be 50 years or older, transgender individuals must be at least 18, dappu artists must be 50, and so forth as per the detailed criteria. -
Is there any prioritization in beneficiary selection?
Yes, priority is given to SC households, practicing artisans, daily laborers, migratory laborers, nomadic tribes, households with destitute/orphans, households with disabled members, and other poor households. -
What additional documents are required for transgender or toddy tapper applicants?
Transgender applicants must provide a Gender Identity Certificate issued by a competent medical authority, and toddy tappers must provide a certificate from the Excise Department.