Andhra Pradesh releases over Rs 2,600 crore for employees, pensioners as Sankranti gift

The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday released over Rs 2,600 crore towards payment of dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) arrears to employees and pensioners, along with pending bills of contractors, as a Sankranti gift.

State Finance Minister P Keshav said a total of 5.7 lakh beneficiaries, including employees, pensioners, police personnel and contractors, would benefit from the disbursement. “The Finance Department has cleared bills amounting to Rs 2,653 crore towards arrears and works payments,” Keshav said in a press statement.

Of the total amount, Rs 1,100 crore was released towards one pending instalment of DA and DR arrears for employees and pensioners. An additional Rs 110 crore was sanctioned towards surrender leave payments due to police personnel, he said.

The government also released Rs 1,243 crore for works under External Aided Projects (EAP), the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), State Assistance to State Key Infrastructure (SASKI) and the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF). This includes around Rs 40 crore towards bills under the ‘Neeru-Chettu’ programme, which focuses on water conservation and plantation.

With the payment of DA and DR arrears, around 2.2 lakh Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) employees and 2.7 lakh pensioners will benefit. Surrender leave payments will be made to nearly 55,000 police personnel, while over 19,000 contractors will receive payments for various works carried out across the state, the release added.

MAKARA SANKRANTI IN ANDHRA PRADESH

In Andhra Pradesh, Sankranti is observed as a key harvest festival over several days in mid-January to mark the end of the winter harvest season and the Sun’s transition into the Capricorn (Makara) sign. Celebrations begin with Bhogi on January 13, marked by early-morning bonfires symbolising the shedding of the old. The main Sankranti festival falls on January 14, when families offer prayers, prepare traditional dishes such as ariselu and sweet pongal, and decorate homes with muggulu.

The festivities continue with Kanuma on January 15, which is largely celebrated in rural areas and focuses on honouring cattle and agricultural work. The festival reflects the state’s agrarian culture and marks the completion of the rabi harvest season.