Late Andhra CM YSR remembered on birth anniversary

Amaravati, July 8 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh's ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Monday paid tributes to late Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on his 70th birth anniversary.

Incumbent Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy paid floral tributes at his father's grave at Idupulapaya in Kadapa district.

Jagan Reddy was accompanied by his mother Y. S. Vijayalakshmi, sister Sharmila, other family members, several cabinet ministers and YSRCP leaders.

This being the first birth anniversary of the late leader since the YSRCP came to power, the government organized various programmes to mark the occasion. The day is being celebrated as Farmers' Day.

Jagan Reddy implemented a hike in the monthly pension to widows, elderly and other beneficiaries. They will be paid Rs 2,250 per month against the current Rs 2,000.

He also announced that the pension will be increased to Rs 3,000 over the next four years.

The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the Banana Research Station coming up at Idupulapaya under the aegis of Dr YSR Horticulture University.

YSR, a leader of the Congress party, was Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh between 2004 and 2009. He died in a helicopter crash on September 2, 2009.

Jagan Reddy quit the Congress party in 2011 to float the YSRCP.

The Congress also remembered the late leader.

Congress MP K.V.P. Ramachander Rao, who was YSR's close friend, along with other leaders of the party garlanded his statue in Hyderabad.

Congress leaders Ponnala Lakshmaiah and Mohammed Ali Shabbir said people would always remember YSR for his welfare schemes for the poor and weaker sections of the society.