Education Minister Nara Lokesh informed the Legislative Council that the government has provided financial assistance to 6701653 students through the Thalliki Vandanam scheme. The total support distributed is ₹8,454 crore.
The minister provided this information to the council after YSRCP members had asked him questions about the UDISE registration numbers and the people who benefited from the Thalliki Vandanam program.
According to UDISE data, 79,51,903 students from Class 1 to Class 12 are registered in the state.67,01,653 students received help through their mothers.
The minister said that some opposition leaders claimed that 86 lakh students were registered in UDISE. He said that the official data does not support this claim.
Comparison with the Previous Government
Minister Lokesh explained that the current coalition government supported 84.27 percent of eligible students registered under UDISE.
He also compared the figures with the previous administration. During the earlier government, 81,72,224 students were registered under UDISE.However, only 42,33,098 students or about 52 percent received assistance.
The minister stated that the present government has improved the coverage of the scheme.
He also added that the government will examine the records to rectify information about eligible students who missed out on support.
Discussion with Anganwadi and Asha Workers
Minister Lokesh announced that the government will conduct talks with Anganwadi workers Asha workers and Village Administrative Officers (VAOs).
He made this statement after YSRCP members walked out of the council while protesting the government’s approach toward Anganwadi workers.
The minister stated that the government prefers to use dialogue as its primary method for resolving conflicts instead of dealing with public demonstrations. He stated that officials from the education department are meeting different associations to address their concerns.
He explained that Anganwadi workers received permission to maintain their demonstration until 6 p.m. The organization provided them with meals through their Anna Canteens.
The minister reported that the authorities worked together with female police officers to bring the people back to their homes. He explained that the police did not take any suspects into custody.
He mentioned that the decision regarding salary increments for Anganwadi workers remains under examination. The government will inform them once the Chief Minister makes a decision.
The minister confirmed that the government will solve all problems that Asha workers and VAOs present to them.
Free Sanitary Napkins for Girl Students
Minister Lokesh explained to his audience that government schools and colleges will provide free sanitary napkins to their female students.
The program covers girls studying from Class 7 to Class 12 in government educational institutions across the state.
He reported that 96 percent of the girls confirmed receiving their napkins. This feedback was collected through phone calls made using the IVRS system operated by RTGS.
The minister provided this response to a question that Council member Kavali Greeshma raised in the meeting.
He declared that the government will explore the option of providing eco-friendly sanitary pads to the public in upcoming times.
