Kerala Chief Minister V D Sathisan on Monday said that the United Democratic Front (UDF) government will implement the ‘Three Suraksha Pension’ scheme, introduced by the previous LDF administration in February, only after reviewing it in detail and studying complaints regarding selection of beneficiaries.
The Prime Minister made the remarks on the Assembly floor while responding to the adjournment notice filed by CPI(M) MLA AC Moideen, who sought to know why the newly installed government was “dismantling” a scheme aimed at benefiting 1.6 million housewives.
Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the ‘Sthree Suraksha Pension’ scheme on February 12, on the cusp of the National Assembly elections. Under this scheme, unemployed and converted women between the ages of 35 and 60 who are not receiving any other social security pension are entitled to a monthly assistance of $1000. The first two installments were disbursed in March.
“The scheme was announced without any preparations. There were allegations that no field-level inspections were conducted to identify the beneficiaries. Although 3.134 million beneficiaries were found initially, it was later reduced to 1.64 million. It cannot be said whether we can go ahead with the scheme without reviewing it and examining the way beneficiaries are added,” the Prime Minister said.
The Congress president claimed that the scheme was announced only in the last month of the previous LDF government, despite promising it in its 2021 election manifesto. He also accused the Vijayan-led government of delaying the welfare pension hike till the end of the year. $2500 until the last months of its term.
In contrast, he said that his government, during its first month in power, increased the monthly fees of ASHA workers by an amount $3000 and implemented free travel for all women in regular class KSRTC buses. The wages of anganwadi teachers, pre-primary teachers and school cooking workers have also been increased $He added 1,000 in the first cabinet meeting.
“We are the real champions of women. Not you. You (LDP) have taken an anti-women stance,” the Prime Minister said.
Sathisan said the ‘Sthree Suraksha Pension’ scheme was drawn up at the last minute as an election ploy and the beneficiaries were identified without forming any committees.
“Your local and district committees (LDF) have distributed pensions to everyone who needs them. This scheme cannot go ahead without it being reviewed comprehensively. It has been formulated only to deceive women before the elections,” he said.
Reacting to the allegations, Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan described the United Democratic Front government’s stance on the scheme as “unfortunate” and rejected the accusations.
“It is clear that the United Democratic Front is trying to sabotage it. We have implemented it after ensuring proper transparency and by inviting applications through the K-SMART portal. The beneficiaries have been approved by the LSG institutions. There is no need to see politics in it,” Vijayan said.
Revised liquor tax rates included in the Finance Bill
Meanwhile, revised sales tax rates on low-alcohol drinks, which have sparked controversy in Kerala, have been incorporated into the Finance Bill 2026 (No. 3), which is scheduled to be introduced in the Assembly on July 1.
Section 3 of the bill provides for the inclusion of the phrase “low-alcohol beverages” after the word “horti wine” in the Kerala General Sales Tax Act, 1963. The rates remain the same as those announced by the Prime Minister in this month’s budget. The draft law stipulates that the amendment will come into effect only after the government issues a notification in the Official Gazette.
The move paves the way for extensive consultations within Congress and the United Democratic Front before implementing the revised tax rates.
