THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the financial crisis in the state became severe, the government has not distributed welfare pension for the past two months. Only few individuals who accept pension through bank accounts have received their pension for the month of September. The pension for the month of October has not been distributed yet. The monthly pension is Rs 1600. There are 50.67 lakh welfare pensioners in the state.

Only Rs 17,936 crore loan has been approved by the Centre till December. Out of this Rs 13,936 crore has already been taken. The remaining Rs 4000 crore and other earnings should be taken to distribute salaries and pensions for the next two months. Rs 5936 crore is needed per month for this. The setback came when the Centre proposed to include the loans taken by Kerala Social Security Pension Limited, which was formed for welfare pension, in the government's public debt.

The move to reduce the pension liability by completely excluding those who are not eligible for social welfare pension did not happen due to political opposition. It was decided to exclude those who earn more than Rs 1 lakh per year. The list should be prepared by the local bodies.

The government is considering about distributing the welfare pension for three months together for Christmas. The cooperative banks are the only reliance. But the government has a huge debt in those banks also. The first Pinarayi government used to give pensions on Onam, Vishu and Christmas together. Before the last assembly elections, it was decided to pay the pension monthly with an aim to gain more votes.

Welfare pensioners 50.67 lakh

Monthly pension Rs 1600

Expense Rs 773.85 crore