Kochi: The welfare pension given to the public in Kerala is an assistance and not a right, the Left Government informed the Kerala High Court.
The timing of distribution of pension is the government prerogative, the government said in an affidavit in connection with a writ challenging the suspension of pension. The welfare pension is part of the government’s policy decision and it is not statutory, government said. There are over 45 lakh people availing of the benefit under five categories.
The total expenses for statutory pension was Rs 900 crore, while it was Rs 90 crore for non statutory pension.The government said it was not in a position to pay welfare pension due to financial crises.
