Chandigarh: Calling senior citizens the “moral backbone of society”, Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said safeguarding their dignity and ensuring their financial and social security remained a central priority of the state govt.Speaking during the ongoing budget session of the Haryana assembly amid concerns over alleged pension cuts, the CM rejected the claims, terming them “politically motivated misinformation”. He said the govt had not discontinued pensions and had instead strengthened social security measures for the elderly.Taking a swipe at the opposition, Saini alleged that rumours about pension discontinuation were deliberately spread to create confusion among senior citizens. Spreading such misinformation was irresponsible and unfortunate, particularly when it concerned a vulnerable section, he said.He said the govt had streamlined pension delivery through a transparent, technology-driven mechanism. Beneficiaries now receive real-time SMS alerts once pensions are credited directly to their bank accounts, enabling hassle-free withdrawals without repeated visits to govt offices.Drawing a contrast with the previous Congress regime, the CM claimed senior citizens earlier faced long delays, sometimes waiting months for payments and making multiple visits to offices, often in extreme weather.Emphasising the govt’s commitment, Saini said the current system was transparent, accountable and ensured elderly citizens received their entitlements with dignity and without hardship. MSID:: 128753507 413 |
