APCC president Y.S. Sharmila on Friday criticised the State government’s implementation of the Thalliki Vandanam scheme, alleging that it mirrors the shortcomings of the previous YSRCP government’s Amma Vodiprogramme.

“While the ruling alliance promised ₹15,000 per child, the scheme currently covers only about 67 lakh students despite the government previously claiming there are around 83 lakh students in the State,” she posted on X, and questioned why nearly 20 lakh children had been excluded and why deductions were being made from the promised amount under the guise of school development.

Ms. Sharmila also accused the government of imposing eligibility restrictions based on factors such as electricity consumption, land ownership and vehicle ownership, the criteria that she said were previously criticised by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu when he was in the Opposition.

She challenged the government to explain the reduced beneficiary count, deductions from the promised assistance, and exclusion criteria. She also demanded that the scheme be extended to all eligible students, estimated at about 87 lakh based on UDISE data, and that the full ₹15,000 per child be transferred without deductions or restrictive conditions.

Published - July 17, 2026 09:03 pm IST