Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said that Andhra Pradesh will lead the country in implementation of three social security programmes - Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana - launched simultaneously at 115 centres across the country.

Participating in the launch of the prestigious programmes here on Saturday, the chief minister lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coming out with such programmes that would help all those who had not benefited from any of the earlier schemes.

“It is the beginning of a new chapter which would pave the way for inclusive growth. Reaching out to the poor and instilling confidence in them is what the government is focussing on,” he said.

Explaining the three schemes, the CM said they would provide security to the lives of of all people who were hitherto not covered under any insurance scheme. He said a total number of 24,54,492 people were enrolled for the three schemes in the state since May 1.

Chandrababu Naidu said the TDP-BJP government in the state was also implementing the schemes to provide social security to the poor. The social welfare pensions were increased to `1,000 from `200 per month for old people  and widows. Differently-abled people were getting `1,500 monthly pension now, he added.

He explained about the insurance scheme launched by the state government for drivers (auto, bus, truck) recently which would provide a cover of `5 lakh in case of accidental death.

Stating that the first installment of `3,000 of the promised `10,000 for DWCRA women would be released from June onwards. He said interoperability of bank accounts was being implemented on pilot basis in Krishna district and suggested linkage of Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and Mobile (JAM) for hassle- free social security programmes.

Defence minister Manohar Parrikar hailed the social security programmes and observed that they were the need of the hour. Describing CM Naidu as a dynamic leader, he said the Central social security programmes launched by the PM would be an icing on the cake of social welfare schemes in the state. He lauded the CM for providing insurance cover to taxi drivers and said he too as CM of Goa had introduced such a scheme.  Earlier, Andhra Bank executive director and president of SLBC of Andhra Pradesh SK Kalra explained about the schemes and the role of banks role in their implementation.

Later, 12 beneficiaries of three social security schemes were handed over the policies.