THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: PC Vishnu Nath has issued a notice of violation of rights to the Speaker against Finance Minister KN Balagopal for misleading the Assembly and members regarding welfare pension. It is demanded that action be taken for violation of rights under Rule 154 of the Procedure and Administration of the Legislative Assembly as the finance minister was found to have made untrue remarks.

During the discussion on permission to present an emergency resolution on January 29 regarding the suspension of social welfare pension, the minister said that it was the VS Achuthanandan government that increased the pension from Rs 120 to Rs 500 in a phased manner and although Oommen Chandy government said that the pension would be increased to Rs 600 when they came to power in 2011, it was not given.

However, when examining the reply given by the Finance Minister himself to the unstarred question number 324 dated 8.6.2021 regarding the details of welfare pensions provided in the state in the first session of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly, it will be clear that his remark is not factual, the notice said.