Dharwad: SUCI(C) seeks release of pending social security pensions
The protesters, who came from villages and slums from across Dharwad district, raised slogans against the government for withholding pensions that provide a crucial source of livelihood for elderly people, widows and persons with disabilities.
On October 13, the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) (SUCI-C) organized a protest in Dharwad, Karnataka, to demand the release of unpaid social security pensions. The protest, attended by people from various villages and slums in the district, expressed outrage at the government's failure to pay pensions that are essential for the livelihood of the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities.
SUCI-C Dharwad district secretary Lakshman Jadagannavar alleged that despite the government's increase in the income eligibility limit for pensions in August, beneficiaries still did not receive payments two months later. He criticized the suspension of pensions for 18,06,032 people across Karnataka as "anti-poor and inhumane," especially as essential commodity prices rose and farmers and agricultural workers faced dire conditions due to drought.
Jadagannavar stated that re-verifying documents had caused economically vulnerable beneficiaries to repeatedly submit required records, with many waiting months after providing them. He demanded the immediate restoration of pensions, an increase in monthly assistance, and payment of all arrears to eligible beneficiaries. While district committee member Gangadhar Badiger questioned the government's decision to discontinue pensions for the poor amid legislators receiving substantial salary hikes, others like Bhavan Shankar S. Gouda emphasized the need for a stronger public movement to address the grievances of ordinary people.
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