Old-age pension up Rs 50; elderly not impressed
Wednesday, 08/07/2015
http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/
Ludhiana:The state government has played another cruel joke with old-age pensioners by just increasing their pension by Rs 50 per month from next month. At present, they get Rs 250 per month.
This was confirmed by Surjit Kumar Jyani, state Health and Family Welfare, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister.
In the election manifesto of the BJP, the party had promised to raise old-age pension to Rs 500. On being asked as to when the promise would be fulfilled, Jyani said, "I accept that it was in our election manifesto. It has been increased to Rs 300 from next month. We will surely fulfil our promise."
However, this meagre increase in pension has invited criticism from senior citizens, who are living in penury in the twilight years of their lives.
Gurcharan Singh, an old-age pensioner, said, "With this meagre amount, the government is mocking at our condition. Even a health specialist takes Rs 400 minimum as consultation fee. Isn't the health minister aware of this fact?"
The pensioners said that even the little amount that they get comes after a long wait.
Former MLA of CPM Tarsem Jodhan said, "It is a cruel joke on the elderly. The prices of everything have increased manifold since the government fixed Rs 250 per month as old-age pension. These pensioners should be given Rs 2,500 per month."
He said that the Haryana Government was giving Rs 1,500 per month as pension.
