Team Blitz India
COCHIN: The Kerala Government is facing criticism for failing to provide social security to its citizens. The matter has been raised by different stakeholders and the Opposition has boycotted Kerala Assembly session over ‘non-disbursal’ of social security pension.
“Non-disbursal of the pension was affecting over 50 lakh people. We demand that the Kerala government ensure its clearance urgently,” Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, VD Satheesan said.
Amid criticism, the Speaker of the Kerala Assembly has repeatedly refused to grant leave for an adjournment motion concerning the “non-disbursal” of social security pensions in the state.
MLAs have allegedly that the failure to distribute the pension led to the recent suicide of Joseph, a speciallyabled person of Kozhikode district. The matter is fast becoming a volatile issue with civil society organisations protesting the lack of government initiative to clear the public dues. Meanwhile, Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal while expressing regret over the suicide has dismissed the allegation that it was linked to the non-disbursal of social security pensions.
“The person died by suicide on January 23. He had received his pension for the months of November and December.
There is no evidence suggesting that his suicide was due to the non-disbursal of pension,” Balagopal told the Kerala Assembly. The Opposition criticised the Leftfront government, alleging that its priorities lie in spending money for events like Keraleeyam and Nava Kerala Sadas instead of fulfilling its responsibility to provide pensions to the poor and needy.
