4000 govt employees getting welfare pension also; big liability for state if ineligible not removed from list, says FM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister K N Balagopal said there are many ineligible people in the list of welfare pensioners in the state. He said that after a strict inspection those not eligible will be removed from the pension list. If not, it would be a major liability for the state, the minister said while talking to a private channel ahead of the state budget.

The minister said that he does not intend to make controversial statements over pension. However, there are many ineligibles receiving the pension. In an inspection, it was found that 4000 government employees are receiving the pension. A biometric verification found the ineligibles. The most deserving should get the pension. An inspection has to be conducted again. Nearly 60 lakh people are given a welfare pension of Rs 1600 monthly. If the ineligibles are not removed from the list, it would be a major liability for the state, the minister said.