Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, whose YSR Congress scored a landslide victory over N Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP), renamed and reviewed various schemes and policies of the previous government.

The Jagan government, which was sworn in on May 30, renamed the NTR Vaidya Seva (a scheme named after TDP founder NT Rama Rao) as ‘YSR Arogyasri’ (after former CM YSR reddy).

In 2009, when YS Rajasekhara Reddy was re-elected as the Chief Minister of the united Andhra Pradesh, he gave the credit to the three healthcare services — Rajiv Arograsri, 108, and 104. In his first review after taking oath, he gave a funding and expansion boost to them.

YSR, who first got elected in 2004 defeating Chandrababu Naidu, was close to Sonia Gandhi and named several schemes after Rajiv Gandhi.

These include the Rajiv Arogyasri, the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and the Rajiv Gruhakalpa (housing for the poor).

When Naidu won the State with the help of the BJP in 2014, post the bifurcation, he resorted to naming schemes after NTR.

The scheme, which was first launched in April 2007 with an outlay of ₹164.7 crore under the CM relief fund, provides medical cover to lakhs of families that fall below poverty line.

Anna Canteen

The popular ‘Anna NTR Canteen’ was also renamed as as ‘Rajanna Canteen’ (Rajanna being the popular name of YS Rajasekhara Reddy).

Chandrababu Naidu launched the Anna Canteen in July 2018, with the intention of serving breakfast, lunch and dinner at mere ₹5 to the common man.

The management of the canteens was handed over to Akshaya Patra Foundation.

A total of 2013 Anna canteens in the 110 municipalities were envisaged.

The scheme was a copy of the popular Amma Canteens that J Jayalalitha had introduced in Tamil Nadu.

Naidu planned the three meals to cost ₹15 per day. It was NTR, who during his first innings of 1983-89, launched the ₹2 per kg rice to feed the poor.

The 46-year-old Jagan, who has unveiled his Navaratnas (nine gems), which include a host of welfare schemes, has a list of schemes that include pensions, midday meals, unemployment allowance etc that stand to be renamed.

Jagan started the implementation in right earnest from the oath-taking ceremony itself on May 30, by announcing that the pension scheme for senior citizens will be henceforth known as the “YSR Pension Kanuka” (YSR pension gift) instead of the “NTR Bharosa” (NTR support).

He also raised the monthly pension from ₹2,000 to ₹2,250, later raised to ₹3000 per month within three years.

He also announced a massive hike in the salary of ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers from ₹3,000 per month to ₹10,000.

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