Former Legislators Seek Enhanced Welfare Measures

: The Andhra Pradesh Former Legislators Forum on Saturday urged the state government to meet the long-pending welfare demands of former MLAs and MLCs, including increasing pensions, launching a cashless healthcare scheme and implementation of official protocol for former legislators.

The demands were expressed at the Forum’s general body meeting held at the Assembly building in Amaravati. The meeting started with members paying tribute to former MPs who passed away recently.

Forum president and former MLC MV Siva Reddy, who chaired the meeting, said former legislators had dedicated a significant part of their lives to public service and deserved adequate welfare measures and recognition.

He appealed to the government to increase the monthly pension of former legislators from 30,000 to 50,000, stating that Telangana has already increased the pension of former legislators.

Forum vice-president and former MLC Jalli Wilson demanded the introduction of a cashless healthcare scheme and full reimbursement of medical expenses under benefits provided to All India Services officers. He said the current reimbursement system places a financial burden on older former legislators who must cover medical expenses before seeking reimbursement.

Wilson also demanded home delivery of medicines through courier services, protocol darshan at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and other Grade 1 temples, nominally priced Grade 3 accommodation at AP Bhavan in New Delhi and official protocol for former legislators in government posts.

Forum secretary and former MLA PK Sundara Rao, former MLAs D. Rajagopal and Dara Sambayya, executive committee members and several former MLAs and MLCs attended the meeting.