Row erupts over Talliki Vandanam payment cut

The Andhra Pradesh government’s Talliki Vandanam scheme—part of the TDP-led NDA’s “Super Six” election promises—has sparked a political storm over a sharp reduction in the promised financial assistance and a year-long delay in its implementation.

Implementation from next month

Originally set for launch in June 2024, the scheme will now be implemented from July 2025. Further controversy erupted after the promised Rs 15,000 per child was revised to Rs 13,000, prompting sharp criticism from opposition leaders and disillusionment among the public.

Talliki Vandanam was envisioned as a support scheme for mothers of school-going children from Classes 1 to 12, aiming to reduce dropout rates and aid in educational expenses.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu made it a key plank of his 2024 election campaign. However, recent government orders (G.O. Ms. No. 26 & 27, dated June 12, 2025) state that only Rs 13,000 will be transferred directly to mothers’ bank accounts, with Rs 2,000 per child diverted to District Collectors’ accounts for unspecified “administrative purposes.”

This change has triggered accusations of broken promises, with social media users expressing anger.

Opposition demand

Leaders from the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) have seized the moment to attack the NDA government. Former MLA Reddi Shanti, on July 8, demanded immediate rollout, contrasting it with the YSRCP’s Amma Vodi scheme, which disbursed payments ahead of the academic year.

The controversy has deepened further due to eligibility restrictions similar to Amma Vodi. Families with a monthly income above Rs 10,000 in rural areas or Rs 12,000 in urban areas, or those owning four-wheelers (excluding tractors, taxis, and goods vehicles), are now disqualified—leading to concerns about large-scale exclusion.

Despite the government allocating Rs 9,407 crore for the scheme in the 2025–26 budget, public dissatisfaction over the revised payout and delayed timeline remains high. Protests by women’s groups and parent associations have intensified, demanding restoration of the full Rs 15,000 benefit and immediate disbursal.