THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister KN Balagopal announced that one month's social security and welfare pension will be distributed before Christmas. In the arrears of welfare pension for five months, the pension for the month of August will be paid. The Finance Department has suggested that arrangements be made so that it can be delivered to the beneficiaries before Christmas. At present, there are arrears of five months including December's pension amount.

Those who receive pension directly will get the money through cooperative societies and those who do not will get the money through bank accounts. About 900 crores will be set aside for this purpose. In seven and a half years, LDF governments have disbursed Rs 57,400 crore as welfare pension. The second Pinarayi government has distributed almost Rs.2300 crores. There are 64 lakh people in the pension database. Pension will be granted to all those who have done mustering. Others will get their pension in the month of completion of mustering, said the minister.