Jaipur, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has called for increasing the social security pension to Rs 3,000 per month and expanding the number of beneficiaries, while criticising the BJP-led Central government over the amount of pension provided under its share of the scheme.
Gehlot alleged that the Modi government had not increased the central pension amount for elderly people, widows and persons with disabilities by even a rupee since coming to power.
"The Modi government waives off lakhs of crores of rupees owed by wealthy industrialists in one stroke, yet is unwilling to increase the pension for poor and needy elderly citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities by even a single rupee," Gehlot wrote.
He said the Congress government in Rajasthan introduced a monthly social security pension of Rs 500 in 2013 for elderly people, widows and persons with disabilities. According to Gehlot, the amount remained unchanged for the subsequent five years under the BJP government. After the Congress returned to power in 2018, he said, the pension was increased to Rs 750 per month, followed by a further increase to Rs 1,000 in 2023.
He said the Congress government also introduced a legal provision for a 15% annual increase in the pension to prevent future governments from keeping the amount stagnant. "Today, this pension serves as a lifeline for lakhs of needy families in the state," Gehlot said.
He claimed that Congress-led governments at the Centre had introduced social security pensions for elderly people, persons with disabilities and widows and had increased the central contribution to Rs 300 per month by 2013.
He alleged that the amount had not been increased during the subsequent 12 years under the Modi government, despite rising inflation.
Gehlot also claimed that the number of beneficiaries covered under the central pension had not been increased since the Modi government came to power.
He referred to recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee, which he said had repeatedly called for an increase in the pension amount, describing the existing amount as inadequate.
Gehlot said providing social security pensions places a significant financial burden on state governments and argued that the Centre has greater financial resources to support the programme.
He called for the Central and state governments to jointly raise the monthly pension to Rs 3,000, saying the move would help poor and needy families cope with inflation and live with greater dignity.
Gehlot proposed that the financial burden of the increased pension be shared equally between the Centre and state governments on a 50:50 basis. "The central government should collaborate with state governments to immediately raise the pension amount to Rs 3,000 per month and expand the number of beneficiaries," he said.
Source: IANS
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