THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has found itself on the defensive after the opposition as well as left-wing youth organizations opposed its decision to raise the pension age in public sector organizations to 60. The UDF and the BJP lashed out at the government. The opposition is portraying this as a stepping stone to the move to raise the pension age to 60 in the government service as well. At the same time, both ruling and opposition service organizations are pressing to increase the retirement age.

The left youth organizations are of the opinion that raising the pension age will backfire in a state like Kerala, which has a large number of educated youth. While the AIYF slammed the government's decision, the DYFI expressed opposition cautiously without criticising the government. Left youth organizations believe that if the youth sentiment turns against the LDF government on the unemployment issue, it will be a setback for the Left Front in the upcoming elections. They are also concerned that this decision may reduce the influence of the Left among the youth. The opposition is trying to take up this issue as a political weapon against the government to influence the youth.

There are indications that the CPI is unhappy that the policy matter was decided without discussing it in the front. AIYF's opposition is a reflection of this discontentment. Meanwhile, the Finance Department pointed out that the pension age in many public sector institutions in the state is already 60.