Matribhumi Samachar English
Demand pension hike as promised in the election manifesto
Hyderabad, 7th September 2025: Physically challenged citizens, Cheyutha pensioners, senior citizens, and destitute communities came together in strength today at “Challo Kollur – Maha Garjana”, a massive public meeting hosted at BRG Function Hall, Kollur Village, RC Puram Mandal, Tellapur, in the Patancheruvu Assembly constituency.
Padma Shri Manda Krishna Madiga Speaking at the massive gathering of physically challenged, elderly, widows and destitute women, he said, It’s been 21 months since Revanth Reddy garu’s government came to power. His victory was not due to the votes of his family or community, but on the strength of 55 lakh poor people who placed their hope in him for pensions.
Before the elections, there were already 45 lakh pensioners, and since then, another 10 lakh eligible applicants have sought pensions. In its manifesto, Congress promised ₹6,000 pension for the physically challenged and ₹4,000 for the elderly, widows, destitute women, single women, and all others dependent on pensions. Revanth Reddy himself assured in public meetings that even the 10 lakh pending applicants from the previous government would be covered, and that the money would be deposited directly into pensioners’ bank accounts from December 9, 2023.
But even after 21 months, nothing has been done. Shockingly, neither the opposition parties nor their leaders have raised this issue in the Assembly or outside. Even BRS, which had also promised ₹6,000 pensions in its manifesto, is not pressing hard for its implementation.
The government has the duty to stand by its promises, and the opposition has the right to question them. Yet, both have failed in their responsibilities. Neither Revanth Reddy delivers the pensions, nor does KCR demand them—leaving pensioners to suffer in silence.
Revanth Reddy’s assurance of depositing the enhanced pensions on Sonia Gandhi’s birthday, December 9th, 2023, was nothing more than a political stunt to win votes. There was no genuine intent or commitment—only betrayal of the 55 lakh people who trusted him with their hopes.
This is the struggle of pensioners from poor families. Neither Revanth Reddy nor KCR come from such backgrounds, which is why they cannot truly understand the pain and hardship pensioners endure. I understand this trauma, as I myself belong to a family dependent on pensions. That is why, from July 15, I have been traveling across Telangana, village to village, to awaken the government and demand justice.
Since the government continues to ignore our pleas—believing that the elderly, widows, destitute, and differently-abled pensioners are helpless—we will intensify our agitation. Dharna programs will be held across all 33 districts of Telangana, and in the coming days we will block the Hyderabad–Vijayawada highway, forcing the government to finally take notice and act on its promise.
Padma Shri Manda Krishna Madiga, revered as the saviour of juvenile heart patients and a tireless champion for the physically challenged, elderly, and destitute, addressed the gathering as Chief Guest. He voiced the pain and neglect experienced by marginalized communities and urged the government to act without further delay.
The gathering raised a strong demand for the immediate implementation of the state government’s election promises of hike of monthly pension of Rs 6,000 for the physically challenged and Rs 4,000 for the Cheyutha pensioners. These assurances, though announced in the manifesto, remain unfulfilled, causing widespread hardship among vulnerable groups.
The Maha Garjana witnessed an overwhelming turnout from across Telangana, reflecting the unity, resilience, and determination of disadvantaged sections to fight for justice, dignity, and their rightful entitlements.
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