Protest against BJP govt’s cuts in old-age pension on Feb 15: Deepender

Rohtak: Congress MP Deepender Hooda on Sunday announced a protest will be held in Sonipat on Feb 15 against cuts to old-age pensions. Deepender, who was in Rohtak on Sunday, said the BJP govt, which came to power through 'manipulation and conspiracy' by stealing public sentiment, is now attacking the rights and dignity of the elderly, which will not be tolerated at any cost.Expressing anger against the cuts to old-age pensions in Haryana, Deepender said that after the elections, the BJP first cut the ration cards of the poor, and now it is cutting the pensions of the elderly in the state. "Old-age pension is not charity; it is the respect and dignity of the elderly. We will not let the dignity of the elderly be compromised. We will fight against this from the streets to the Parliament and the assembly," he said. He said chief minister Nayab Saini announced an increase of Rs 200 in old-age pensions about 4 months ago, but it is not implemented yet. "Was it just an empty promise? Does the Haryana govt want to fill its coffers by snatching away the rights of the elderly?" he asked. He demanded that the govt release district-wise data showing how many elderly people's pensions were stopped or cut. He said the govt is preparing to cut the old-age pensions of lakhs of elderly people by imposing an income limit of Rs 3 lakh. According to an estimate, this will result in the pensions of approximately 72,000 elderly people being cut. He said the Congress govt led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda increased pensions by 233 percent in 9 years, while the BJP govt only increased them by 200 percent in 12 years.