By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee President Jeetu Patwari has sharply criticised the BJP government, calling the suspension of pensions for the elderly, persons with disabilities and widows a “cruel betrayal” carried out merely to save Rs 496 crore. He alleged that while the State government continues to borrow heavily, it refuses to grant the rightful entitlements of the poorest and most vulnerable.
Patwari said the BJP had broken its electoral promises, stopped pension payments for months, declared lakhs of beneficiaries “ineligible”, and diverted public funds towards the luxuries of those in power.
Shivraj’s promise forgotten, Mohan government silent
He recalled that former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had announced during the election year that old-age pension would be raised from Rs 600 to Rs 1,000 per month. However, the present Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has refused to implement the promise, proving it to be nothing more than an election gimmick.
Patwari noted that during the Congress government, former Chief Minister Kamal Nath had raised the pension from Rs 300 to Rs 600. Instead of increasing it further, the BJP government allegedly halted payments, leaving 55.17 lakh elderly citizens, widows and disabled persons without their monthly support.
According to official figures, the monthly expenditure at the current rate of Rs 600 stands at Rs 331 crore. Increasing it to Rs 1,000 would require only an additional Rs 200 crore, Patwari stated, accusing the government of withholding the increase solely to reduce spending.
He further alleged that while the government borrows thousands of crores annually, the money is spent on luxury SUVs, renovation of ministerial residences, VIP amenities, extravagant events and government publicity, rather than welfare schemes.
5.5 lakh declared ‘missing’ or ‘ineligible’
Patwari condemned the January 2025 verification exercise under the Samagra Portal, in which 5.5 lakh pensioners were marked ‘missing’ or ‘ineligible’, calling it an “inhuman attempt” to shrink the beneficiary list. He said many elderly people were too frail to complete documentation, while verification teams failed to reach remote areas.
He demanded that the Rs 1,000 pension be implemented immediately, the exclusion of 5.5 lakh beneficiaries be revoked, and monthly pension be increased to Rs 1,500 in line with departmental recommendations. Patwari warned that the Congress would launch statewide protests if the government failed to act.
