Andhra Pradesh government starts 'Talliki Vandanam' scheme, Rs 15,000 to be provided for school-going child

Andhra Pradesh introduced the 'Talliki Vandanam' scheme to provide Rs 15,000 annually for every school-going child. It benefits mothers, enhances education opportunities, and promotes population increase. More than 67 lakh students and 43 lakh mothers will gain benefit

Andhra Pradesh's TDP-government headed by NDA has introduced 'Talliki Vandanam' scheme wherein Rs 15,000 would be provided each year to each school-going child in a family, a senior official on Friday.

'Talliki Vandanam' is one of the 'Super Six' welfare promises announced by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu ahead of the 2024 elections. "The government has circulated guidelines for the roll-out of the 'Talliki Vandanam' scheme, an important initiative aimed at strengthening mothers/guardians throughout the state, by providing financial support of Rs 15,000 per year per child to all qualifying mothers/guardians," the secretary to government Kona Sasidhar said in an order.

Regardless of the number of children residing in a family who study from class I up to intermediate, all deserving families will be covered under the scheme.

Similarly, the government will also consider the anticipated eligible enrollment into Class I and junior intermediate for this scheme, it added. More than 67 lakh students and 43 lakh mothers will gain from the 'Talliki Vandanam' scheme. Rs 2,000 at source will be deducted out of Rs 15,000 per annum for the overall development of educational ecosystem in the state, including maintenance, hygiene and sanitation.

As per the secretary, this scheme aims to enhance school education by making it more inclusive and accessible in terms of commitment to offer equal opportunities as well as enhance learning outcomes.

"The scheme empowers mothers to be actively involved in their children's schooling from Class I to Class XII, while recognising their pivotal role in shaping educational progress," he added.

The advantages of the scheme will be given to all the prospective children, Sasidhar added, stating that government, aided and unaided private schools and junior colleges will also come under its fold.

The southern state has fixed a timeline between June 12 and July 5 to finish the whole disbursal and the implementation of the scheme. The government has referred to the "mother of all welfare schemes" as 'Tallki Vandanam'. The scheme is also expected to instill confidence among families to increase the number of children as part of Naidu's emphasis on tackling a declining population and 'demographic management'.