Cong will bring back old pension scheme in Himachal, Gujarat: Priyanka Gandhi
Shimla (PTI): Alleging that the BJP has "snatched" the economic security of the elderly by doing away with the old pension scheme, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday reiterated that her party will bring it back in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat if it forms governments there.
In a Facebook post in Hindi, Vadra said the Congress believes that the employees who have contributed to nation-building should get a pension so that they don't have to depend on anyone in old age.
This is the right of every employee and keeping this in mind, the Congress governments of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan have implemented the old pension scheme, the Congress general secretary said.
"By abolishing the old pension, the BJP snatched the financial security of the elderly in the country. The people who serve the country throughout their life, where should they go in old age? How would they make ends meet" Vadra asked.
"When a person joins a government job, he thinks that when he retires, he will not have to face financial insecurity and he will continue to be supported through his pension. But the BJP only knows how to snatch. Our soldiers who protect the country at the borders while risking their lives, their economic security is also being snatched away one by one," she alleged.
The Congress party is determined that the old pension scheme will be implemented in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat as soon as it comes to power in the two states, she said.
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Wayanad disaster relief: Kerala govt asserting its right, not seeking charity, says minister
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan on Friday came down heavily on the Centre for withholding relief funds for the Wayanad landslide survivors and said that the state is asserting its right and not seeking charity.
The government has requested the Centre to declare the landslide that hit the Chooralmala and Mundakai regions in Wayanad a national disaster. However, they have not taken any action on listing the disaster in the category as per the NDRF norms and "intentionally neglecting the state," he said.
The minister accused the union government of deliberately delaying disaster relief to Kerala, describing it as a challenge to the state.
He pointed out that the Centre had failed to provide a clear response to Kerala’s requests for assistance.
Rajan also dismissed the union government's claim that funds are available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), calling it misleading.
He said that the state would not accept the Centre’s stance and would continue to fight for Kerala’s rightful claims.
Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court will consider the case related to the Wayanad tragedy on Friday.
"The suo moto case registered by the High Court will come up before the court on Friday and we are looking for the stand of the union government in this regard," the minister said.
The disaster, which struck on July 30, devastated large parts of three villages --Punchirimattam, Chooralmala, and Mundakkai--along with sections of Attamala in Wayanad.
As per the government, the deadly disaster claimed 231 lives, while 47 people are still missing.
