Amaravati, March 18 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched the "Divyang Shakti" scheme here on Wednesday, which offers free bus travel to people with disabilities.
Presented as a special gift for the Ugadi festival, "Divyang Shakti" focuses on social equity, mobility, and "last-mile dignity". Naidu launched the scheme in the Greenfield capital city of Amaravati.
Following the launch, the CM, along with senior leaders, travelled with the beneficiaries on Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) buses from the Mangalagiri bus station to Penumaka village, about 11 km, according to an official press release.
Later, the CM hosted a lunch for a group of "Divyang Shakti" beneficiaries and told them that the NDA coalition government has implemented several welfare programs for the benefit of people over the past 21 months.
"The 'Divyang Shakti' scheme, which started today, has given me immense satisfaction and happiness," Naidu said, adding that people with disabilities are uniquely talented and have the power to overcome problems and achieve success.
The Andhra Pradesh government is offering a monthly welfare pension of Rs 6,000 to people with disabilities.
"Divyang Shakti" beneficiaries can travel free on five types of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transportation Corporation (APSRTC) buses and can save up to Rs 2,000 per month, the release added.
The scheme is expected to benefit over 12.76 lakh individuals, including 11.16 lakh persons with disabilities and their attendants, making it one of the largest state-led mobility support programs for the differently-abled in India, the government said.
Key features of the scheme include free bus travel for people with disabilities in select APSRTC services, a 50 per cent fare concession for attendants accompanying beneficiaries, and eligibility for individuals with over 40 per cent disability.
The scheme will cover 21 categories of disabilities, while the government will spend Rs 207 crore on its implementation through the APSRTC.
In a coordinated statewide rollout, MLAs simultaneously launched the scheme in their respective constituencies, travelled with the beneficiaries, and participated in community outreach events.
Under the 'Stree Shakti' scheme, which has already been implemented in the state, women carried out 52 crore free bus journeys, and the government spent Rs 1,826 crore on the scheme, the release added.