metro india news  I amaravati

The Andhra Pradesh government’s flagship welfare program, the Talliki Vandanam Scheme, launched on June 12 has ignited discussions across the state for its dual role in promoting education and subtly encouraging population growth.

Dubbed the “mother of all welfare schemes” by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, this initiative provides Rs. 15,000 annually to mothers for each school-going child from Class 1 to Class 12, with no cap on the number of children per household. While the scheme aims to reduce school dropout rates and empower mothers financially, its structure has raised questions about its potential to incentivize larger families, aligning with the state’s broader demographic management strategy.

A Welfare Scheme with Far-Reaching Implications

The Talliki Vandanam Scheme, translating to “Salutations to the Mother,” is one of the “Super Six” welfare promises made by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government during the 2024 election campaign. With an allocation of Rs. 9,407 crore in the 2025–26 state budget, the scheme is set to benefit over 67 lakh students and 43 lakh mothers across Andhra Pradesh. Of the Rs. 15,000 provided per child, ₹13,000 is directly credited to the mother’s bank account, while Rs. 2,000 is deducted for school infrastructure, hygiene, and sanitation improvements.

The scheme replaces the previous YSR Congress Party’s Jagananna Amma Vodi program, which limited benefits to one child per household. In contrast, Talliki Vandanam extends financial aid to every eligible school-going child, regardless of family size. This key difference has led to significant outcomes, with reports of families with multiple children receiving substantial sums. For instance, a family in Kadapa district with five children received ₹75,000, and another in Anantapur with six children secured Rs. 78,000 in the first phase of disbursal. Such cases highlight the scheme’s inclusivity but also fuel debates about its unintended consequences.

Encouraging Education or Population Growth?

The primary objective of Talliki Vandanam is to ensure that no child misses out on education due to financial constraints. By providing direct financial support to mothers, the scheme aims to reduce dropout rates, promote regular school attendance (with a mandatory 75% attendance requirement), and empower women as key decision-makers in their children’s education. The government emphasizes that mothers, as the “backbone of the family,” play a pivotal role in shaping educational outcomes, and the scheme honors this role by channeling funds directly to them.

However, the absence of a cap on the number of children eligible for benefits has led to speculation that the scheme indirectly encourages couples to have more children. Chief Minister Naidu has explicitly linked Talliki Vandanam to the state’s demographic strategy, describing it as a tool to address Andhra Pradesh’s “plummeting population” and promote long-term population sustainability.

This stance comes at a time when the state’s fertility rate has been declining, a trend observed across much of South India. By offering financial incentives tied to the number of children, the scheme could appeal to families, particularly in economically weaker sections, where additional funds could significantly alleviate financial burdens.

Social media platforms, including X, have amplified this debate. Posts on X have highlighted cases like a family with 12 children reportedly receiving ₹1,56,000, with some users questioning whether the scheme functions as a “population reward” rather than solely an education incentive. Critics argue that such substantial payouts could motivate families to expand, especially in rural areas where financial constraints often dictate family planning decisions. One post remarked, “All they need to do is breed in dozens, and we taxpayers foot the bill,” reflecting concerns about the scheme’s fiscal sustainability and potential exploitation.

Balancing Education and Demographic Goals

The Andhra Pradesh government defends the scheme, asserting that its primary focus remains education. Kona Sasidhar, Secretary to the Government, emphasized that Talliki Vandanam fosters inclusivity by covering students in government, private aided, and unaided schools, as well as junior colleges. The scheme’s guidelines mandate strict eligibility criteria, such as a family income cap of ₹10,000 per month in rural areas and ₹12,000 in urban areas, possession of a valid rice card, and limited land ownership, ensuring benefits reach financially unstable households. Additionally, the requirement of a valid Aadhaar card and biometric verification aims to prevent fraudulent claims.

Yet, the demographic angle cannot be ignored. Andhra Pradesh’s fertility rate, like that of neighboring southern states, has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman, raising concerns about an aging population and shrinking workforce. Naidu’s focus on “demographic management” suggests a deliberate strategy to counteract this trend. By tying financial assistance to school-going children, the scheme may create a perception that larger families equate to greater economic security, particularly for low-income households reliant on government aid.

Voices from the Ground

The scheme has elicited mixed reactions from beneficiaries and observers. Lavade Sharada, a mother of five from Vempalle mandal in Kadapa district, expressed gratitude for the financial aid, noting that it allows her to meet her children’s educational needs without the limitations of the previous Amma Vodi scheme. Similarly, Ramanjinamma from Ankampalli village in Anantapur, with six daughters, said the funds are used solely for education and basic needs, underscoring the scheme’s immediate impact on impoverished families.

However, educators and policy analysts urge caution. A.G.S. Ganapati Rao, president of the Andhra Pradesh Primary Teachers Association, has suggested restricting the scheme to government school students to prevent private institutions from capitalizing on the funds. Others warn that without robust family planning education, the scheme could inadvertently strain public resources by encouraging unsustainable population growth.

A Paradigm Shift in Welfare Delivery

The Talliki Vandanam Scheme represents a significant investment in education and maternal empowerment, with an estimated annual expenditure of over ₹10,000 crore. Its rollout, timed to coincide with the NDA government’s first anniversary, underscores the political weight of the “Super Six” promises. The government has streamlined the application process through an upcoming online portal, requiring documents like Aadhaar, ration cards, and bank account details, with disbursals scheduled between June 12 and July 5.

As Andhra Pradesh navigates fiscal constraints, the scheme’s success will depend on its ability to balance educational goals with demographic aspirations. While it undeniably supports families in ensuring their children’s education, the lack of a child limit raises valid concerns about its long-term implications. For now, Talliki Vandanam stands as a bold experiment in welfare delivery, one that honors mothers while subtly shaping the state’s demographic future. Whether it achieves its dual objectives without unintended consequences remains to be seen