IDUKKI: Minister Saji Cherian said that there is no point in the old woman protesting against the payment of welfare pension and asked isn't money needed to pay the pension. Saji Cherian was reacting to the old couple protesting by putting up a board saying that they are ready for euthanasia after the welfare pension was suspended in Idukki Adimali.

72-year-old Shivadasan and his wife Omana are protesting by placing a sign in front of their roadside shop in Ambalathara. The couple has rejected the demand of CPM local leaders to remove the board. The duo is living in the roadside shop and is surviving on the welfare pension and meagre income from the shop. "The pension has been delayed for almost five months. Due to this, it is not possible to buy even the necessary items for the shop. Even the required medicine has not been bought'- the couple told the media.

Meanwhile, the Youth Congress has decided to pay Rs 1600 every month till the couple gets their pension. The BJP district leadership approached the couple and provided them with a food kit and one month's pension. The information received is that the old couple has decided to continue the protest till they get their pension.