Amid auspicious Kumbh Mela, here is Yogi Adityanath govt's big gift to seers - Pension

The second auspicious bath of Kumbh on holy Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, basking under the full moon today on the occasion of Paush Purnima, also brought a piece of good news for seers. The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is considering to enroll them into the old-age pension scheme, and this would be done through the camps organised in districts/ assembly constituencies from this month, according to a report. The UP government has decided to cover sadhus and seers who did not have any family or anyone to look after them to include them under the old-age pension scheme, along with other entitled persons, said Dainik Jagran report. 

Notably, the latest decision by the Yogi government has come just after announcing its cabinet meeting at the ongoing Ardh Kumbh. The pension will be provided to Hindu seers who are above the age of 60. The state government would set up special camps across the state till January 30 to help sadhus enroll for pension under the scheme.

The newspaper report also added that the BJP camp believed that pro-people announcements would prove to be a game-changer during the general elections, therefore, the state, as well as central governments along the party organisation, are emphasising on showcasing of schemes like Ujwala, Mudra and Saubhagya Yojna. 

According to the report, the upcoming camps are likely to cover about 10 lakh people under the old-age pension scheme in the state. The amount would also be transferred into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries as soon as possible. 

On this development, News18.com quoted state BJP Spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi as saying, “Till now there were sadhus and saints who did not have any family or anyone to look after them. So the government is considering to enroll them into old-age pension scheme. The amount will be transferred directly into their bank accounts. Soon there will be camps in different districts all over the state to enroll the elderly seers and saints for the old age pension scheme.” 

Meanwhile, the Yogi government today decided that all destitute persons (including women, disabled etc) will get a pension of Rs 500 per month as compared to Rs 400 earlier, besides including Hindu seers above 60 under the scheme.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath: The state government has decided that all destitute persons (including women, disabled etc) to get a pension of Rs 500 per month as compared to Rs 400 earlier. pic.twitter.com/LyAWdlaMaF

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 21, 2019

On inclusion of Hindu seers above 60 under the pension scheme, the opposition parties have termed the move as Hindu appeasement by the Yogi Adityanath government ahead of the general elections.

Talking to media persons in Lucknow, Samajwadi Party leader and former CM Akhilesh Yadav said it was an appeasement move ahead of the General Elections, adding “pension should also be provided to the artists who play the role of Ram, Sita, Lakshman and even Ravan in Ramlilas.” Yadav said they should get at least Rs 20,000 per month as pension.

Currently, 37 lakh elderly people are covered under the old age pension scheme. Those above 60 years presently get Rs 400 and those above 80 years receive Rs 600 a month. The money is transferred directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.