Protests by elderly citizens in Kerala, under the governance of the Communist party (Marxist), have become a recurring issue, highlighting a deviation from the claimed “Kerala model of governance” as the welfare policies face challenges and failures in implementation. The most recent incident took place in Palakkad, where two elderly women, Padmavathy (92) and her daughter Indira (67), staged a demonstration outside the Akathethara Panchayath Office near Palakkad city.
The real story behind the widely discussed #KeralaModel !!
A 92-year-old mother and her 67-year-old daughter are protesting by setting up a bed outside the Palakkad Akathethara Panchayat office because they haven't received their pension for six months. 🤷🏻
This is the sad… pic.twitter.com/7kq0ZV66aJ
— महारथी-മഹാരഥി (@MahaRathii) February 10, 2024
Their protest aims to draw attention to the Kerala government’s alleged negligence towards pensioners, demanding timely disbursement of welfare pensions to those in need. The duo began their protest early in the morning before Panchayath officials arrived, expressing frustration over not receiving social welfare pensions for the past six months. They emphasized their lack of alternative means of sustenance and vowed to continue the protest until the government addressed the issue.
This demonstration follows a similar protest on 8 November 2023, where Mariyakutty and Annakutty, elderly women from Idukki district, staged a compelling protest in Adimali, using a begging pot to highlight the Kerala government’s alleged role in forcing them into begging.
Despite mounting criticism and protests against the ruling Pinarayi government’s administrative failures, the government remains unresponsive to the demands of opposition leaders and BJP representatives, aiming to avoid excessive expenditures. VD Satheesan, Leader of Opposition in Kerala legislative assembly criticized the Pinarayi government, accusing it of deflecting blame onto the central government to conceal corruption, lavish spending, and mismanagement at the state level.
The Kerala government has failed to fulfill its commitment outlined in the budget, which promised the disbursement of pensions in the corresponding month of the next fiscal year. Currently, the welfare pension arrears have accumulated to ₹4,600 crores, impacting 58 lakh beneficiaries who have not received pensions for the past six months since September 2023. As the current financial year is set to conclude by 31st March 2024, and with Lok Sabha elections approaching, the government is attempting to maximize the utilization of planned funds. However, it is unlikely that the government will be able to clear the outstanding six-month pension arrears within this limited time frame.
According to reports from Manorama news, the Kerala government requires Rs 89.40 crore to provide pensions to 5.66 lakh members of various welfare fund boards, with a monthly pension cost estimated at ₹775 crore. Currently, the state government has allocated Rs 667 crore from its funds to disburse social security pensions to 45.11 lakh people, and an additional 7.42 lakh individuals have received pensions with the assistance of the central government. The state now needs to secure ₹19.15 crore to fulfill pension obligations. In his Budget speech, Finance Minister KN Balagopal disclosed that the state requires ₹9,000 crore annually for pension disbursement.
Instead of exploring long-term strategies to increase revenue for supporting pensioners, the government is allegedly considering raising the pension age from 56 to 57, a move proposed by the Pay Revision Commission, that could save ₹4,000 crore annually.
Reports from Mathrubhumi News highlight the suspension of three major government assistance measures for the differently-abled community, including pension payments. The monthly pension of Rs 1600 for differently-abled individuals has been discontinued for five months, resulting in pending arrears of ₹339.3 crores. The ‘Aswasakiranam’ scheme, offering ₹600 to bed-ridden or severely differently-abled persons, has been suspended for three years, with beneficiaries left without payments. Premiums for the Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme and annual renewal amounts for BPL category persons have not been paid for a year, leaving differently-abled individuals responsible for these expenses.
CK Abubacker, a Member of the Advisory Board on Disability, emphasizes the unfortunate denial or delay of benefits to differently-abled individuals and urges the government to make a sympathetic decision in this matter.
Key Statistics:
- Number of differently-abled persons in the state: 8,64,316
- Beneficiaries eligible for pension: 3,89,531
- Current pensioners: 3,57,995
- Niramay scheme beneficiaries: 1,08,952
- Aswasakiranam scheme beneficiaries: 19,229
- Arrears of disability pension: ₹311.62 crores
- Aswasakiranam pension arrears: ₹27.68 crores
Below are critiques from some netizens regarding the current state of the state government run by the Communist party.
Kerala government owes around Rs 4,600 crores to 58 lakh social welfare pensioners in the state.
— SK Chakraborty (@sanjoychakra) February 10, 2024
When the rule is gone to looters and anarchists, we are yet to witness much beyond. The state is passing thru a critical period in terms of financial crunch, law n order, breeding terrorism, etc., etc.
— R Nambiar (@BeWithBharat) February 10, 2024
Centre says Kerala most financially unstable states, citing numerous weaknesses in its fiscal framework. Centre has asserted Kerala's difficulties stems from its own mismanagement & request to raise borrowing limits isn't aimed at productivity but sustain its routine operations.
— @PonnappaCa (@PonnappaCa91716) February 10, 2024
Previously in December 2023, twelve MPs from Kerala’s UDF sought a meeting with the Finance Minister in Parliament to address the state’s dire fiscal conditions and appeal for assistance. They expressed their concern over the instances of schools lacking funds for midday meals, pensioners, and MNREGA workers experiencing delays in receiving their dues. Additionally, they pointed out the predicament of KSRTC employees going unpaid for months, shedding light on the financial challenges faced by the Kerala government in meeting its fundamental financial commitments.
Schools without money for Mid-day meals.
Pensioners & MNREGA workers not getting their dues.
KSRTC employees unpaid for months.
The state is broke, while the cabinet is touring it grandly in a one-crore rupee luxury bus!
Tharoor exposing the Kerala Model. https://t.co/IVWdb5eBME
— Vikrant ~ विक्रांत (@vikrantkumar) December 14, 2023
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