Chandigarh: Asserting that senior citizens are the moral backbone of society, Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini said safeguarding their dignity and ensuring their financial and social security remains a central priority of the State Government.
Speaking during the ongoing Budget Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, where today, on concerns regarding alleged pension cuts, the Chief Minister firmly rejected the claims, describing them as politically motivated misinformation. He said that the government has not discontinued pensions; rather, it has strengthened social security measures for the elderly.
Highlighting the Centre’s commitment towards senior citizens, he referred to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s assurance of expanded healthcare protection for citizens above 70 years of age. Under this provision, eligible elderly beneficiaries are entitled to medical coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakhs, ensuring that families are not burdened by the cost of serious illnesses.
Taking a swipe at the Opposition, the Chief Minister alleged that rumours regarding pension discontinuation were being deliberately circulated to create confusion among elderly citizens. Spreading such misinformation, he said, is irresponsible and deeply unfortunate, particularly when it concerns the most pivotal sections of society.
He underlined that the present government has streamlined pension delivery through a transparent and technology-driven mechanism. Beneficiaries now receive real-time SMS alerts once their pension is credited directly into their bank accounts, enabling hassle-free withdrawals without the need for repeated visits to government offices.
Drawing a contrast with the previous Congress regime, the Chief Minister said that senior citizens earlier had to endure long delays, sometimes waiting months for their pension payments. Many were forced to make repeated trips to government offices, often in extreme weather conditions, with little administrative responsiveness.
Clarifying the issue of temporary payment holds, he explained that in cases where discrepancies or complaints arise, verification is conducted as part of due process. During this period, payments may be paused, but they are promptly released once verification is complete.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment, the Chief Minister said Haryana has built a system that is transparent, accountable, and respectful, one that ensures elderly citizens receive their entitlements with dignity and without unnecessary hardship.
