PNS|Vijayawada
Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh announced that Rs 8,745 crore has been credited to the accounts of 67.27 lakh mothers of school-going children under the ‘Talli ki Vandanam’ scheme in its inaugural year.
Addressing the media from his residence in Undavalli on Tuesday, Lokesh assured that the government is fully committed to covering all eligible students, irrespective of their number. He stated that the initiative fulfilled one of the key promises from the coalition government’s ‘Babu Super Six’ agenda, enabling direct cash transfers to mothers of children studying from Class 1 to Intermediate. In the absence of a mother, the amount was transferred to the father or legal guardian, while special arrangements were made for orphaned children through the district collectors.
Drawing comparisons with the previous government’s ‘Amma Vodi’ scheme, Lokesh noted that only 42 lakh children had benefitted earlier, whereas the current programme supports over 67 lakh children. He added that the annual allocation has increased by Rs 3,205 crore, and over five years, the coalition government is projected to spend Rs 16,000 crore more than the previous administration.
The scheme benefits approximately 30 lakh BC students, 12 lakh SC students, 4.26 lakh ST students, 66,000 minority students and 8.5 lakh EBC students. Mothers with one child received Rs 13,000, while those with two and three children received Rs 26,000 and Rs 39,000 respectively, benefiting over 35 lakh children.
Lokesh said disbursement is ongoing, and citizens have until 26 June to raise grievances through Manamitra WhatsApp, village/ward secretariats, or by visiting GSWS centres. He added that 2% of accounts were inactive, resulting in funds being returned. Beneficiaries are being notified via SMS to reactivate their accounts.
Highlighting education reforms, the minister said the ‘One Class, One Teacher’ model has been scaled up from 1,200 to 9,600 schools, an eightfold increase aimed at improving learning outcomes.
He further said that 80% of students received Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra kits—including uniforms, books, shoes and bags—on the first day of the academic year, with the remainder to receive them by 20 June. Lokesh also confirmed that fine rice has been reintroduced in midday meals following discussions with senior leaders.
