Will soon increase welfare pension amount to Rs 3000; unlike LDF, UDF will keep its promise, says CM

THIRUVANANANTHAPURAM: Raising the welfare pension amount to Rs 3000 was one of the major promises made by the UDF during the election campaign. Chief Minister V D Satheesan has said that the promise will be implemented soon. Speaking during the question hour in the Legislative Assembly, Satheesan said that the UDF government is seriously considering updating the existing eligibility criteria and introducing a new system to ensure that welfare pensions reach only deserving beneficiaries.

He also announced that this month’s welfare pension distribution will begin on the 24th. The government is making efforts to ensure that pension payments are made regularly without delays, he added. Satheesan said the promise to increase the welfare pension from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 will be fulfilled at the earliest and claimed that it will not be like the promises made by the previous LDF government. Several complaints have been raised regarding the current welfare pension eligibility criteria. The Chief Minister said steps will be taken to include eligible beneficiaries and remove those who are receiving pensions without meeting the required criteria.