LS members demand old age pension hike of Rs. 5,000

Members in the Lok Sabha on Saturday asked the government to raise the old age pension to Rs 3,000-Rs 5,000 per month and come out with a comprehensive scheme to provide security to the aged.

Members in the Lok Sabha on Saturday asked the government to raise the old age pension to Rs 3,000-Rs 5,000 per month and come out with a comprehensive scheme to provide security to the aged.

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"The old age pension should be increased to Rs 5,000 per month," Dilip Kumar Manshukhlal Gandhi (BJP) said during discussion on a private member's bill to provide social security to senior citizens.

Gandhi also said the government should work out a scheme to provide social security to senior citizens.

Earlier introducing his Bill, J P Agarwal (Cong) said government should adopt his legislation as it is necessary to provide economic and physical security to aged persons.

He said it was very unfortunate that senior citizens have to stand in long queues in banks to receive pension.

Associating with the Bill, Shailendra Kumar (SP) demanded that government should ensure that money provided to NGOs is spent on welfare of aged persons.

Bhola Singh (BJP) suggested that government should take on itself the responsibility of looking after senior citizens who feel neglected in old age.

Raghuvansh Prasad Singh (RJD) said that government show courage and take steps to provide relief to senior citizens by raising old age pension to Rs 3,000 per month.

Currently government gives pension to senior citizens belonging to BPL category at Rs 200 per month. Some state governments provide additional amount besides Centre's contribution.

Others who participated in the discussion were S Semmalai (AIADMK), Mahendrasinh P Chauhan (BJP) and Arjun Meghwal (BJP). The discussion remained inconclusive.