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The Communist Party of India (Marxist) Left government in Kerala on Friday gave an Onam gift. The state government has announced to distribute two months' pension to more than 60 lakh beneficiaries. State Finance Minister KN Balagopal said that Rs 1,700 crore has been allocated for this.
62 lakh people will get benefit
Kerala's finance minister further said that about 62 lakh people will get Rs 3,200 for Onam. This amount will be in addition to the current one month pension. The Left government is taking this decision in an attempt to regain the mandate it lost during the Lok Sabha elections.
BJP opened its account for the first time in Kerala
Earlier, the CPI (M) and its allies had blamed the delay in payment of dues for their defeat in the Lok Sabha elections and recommended reforms. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) won only one seat in the election, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) won 18 seats. Apart from this, BJP has opened its account for the first time in Kerala.
Payment of an additional arrears of two months' pension
Balagopal said 26.62 lakh people will get the pension amount directly in their bank accounts by next week, while others will get it through cooperative banks. He clarified that one month out of the additional two months of sanctioned pension is pending. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier assured the Assembly that social security pension arrears will be paid this year and next year due to financial constraints.
The most comprehensive social security pension scheme implemented in Kerala: Balagopal
Balagopal claimed that Kerala has implemented the most comprehensive social security pension scheme in India. 98 per cent of the funds required for this are borne by the state government, while only two per cent is contributed by the central government. Out of the 62 lakh welfare pension beneficiaries, 6.8 lakh people get a meagre assistance of about Rs 300 from the central government. In contrast, pensioners in Kerala get Rs. 1,600.
