Government Approves ₹10,120 Crore for the Scheme
The Andhra Pradesh government has officially issued orders implementing the ‘Talliki Vandanam’ scheme for the 2025–26 academic year. The scheme will cover students studying from Classes 1 to 12. The School Education Department has approved an expenditure of ₹10,120.78 crore for its implementation.
According to the government, 67,47,190 students will benefit under the scheme. It also announced that funds will be credited to the bank accounts of 42,70,802 mothers by July 22.
Opposition Questions Election Promise
The government’s announcement has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. They point out that during the election campaign, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had promised that every school-going student would receive ₹15,000 annually without any deductions or restrictions if the coalition government came to power.
Critics argue that the scheme was not implemented during the first year after the coalition assumed office and that, even in the second year, strict eligibility conditions have significantly reduced the number of beneficiaries.
Decline in Student Enrollment Raises Concerns
Available statistics indicate that when the YSRCP government completed its tenure in 2024, Andhra Pradesh had 87,41,885 school students. By the 2025–26 academic year, that number had reportedly fallen to 84,37,049, reflecting a decline of 3,04,836 students.
Political observers and opposition leaders are questioning whether reductions in welfare schemes such as Talliki Vandanam have contributed to this decline in student enrollment.
Nearly 17 Lakh Students Allegedly Excluded
According to the latest government orders, only 67,47,190 students have been identified as eligible beneficiaries. Based on the overall student population, critics claim that nearly 16,89,859 students have been excluded from the scheme due to various eligibility conditions.
Opposition parties argue that this contradicts the election promise of extending financial assistance to every student.
Benefit Amount Also Becomes a Point of Controversy
Another major point of criticism is the amount being disbursed under the scheme.
Opposition leaders allege that while the election promise was ₹15,000 per student, the government is now providing ₹13,000 per eligible beneficiary, making it inconsistent with the original commitment.
The government, however, maintains that the scheme is being implemented strictly according to the prescribed eligibility criteria.
Political Debate Intensifies
While the government insists that only eligible beneficiaries are receiving assistance under the scheme, opposition parties describe the decision as unfair, alleging that lakhs of students have been deprived of financial support. They argue that the restrictions imposed on the scheme could adversely affect students’ education and place an additional financial burden on families.
The implementation of the Talliki Vandanam scheme has therefore become another major political flashpoint in Andhra Pradesh, with both the government and the opposition presenting sharply contrasting narratives over its execution and the fulfillment of election promises.
