Thiruvananthapuram, June 20

Lakhs of welfare pension beneficiaries across Kerala were left disappointed once again, as the distribution of this month’s pension did not begin today (June 20) as promised.

Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal’s recent announcement that the welfare pensions would be disbursed starting June 20 has turned out to be an empty assurance.

Even on the scheduled date, the government has not issued any official order regarding the distribution.

According to sources, the Finance Department has been unable to mobilise the necessary funds, resulting in uncertainty over the disbursal.

The announcement by the Finance Minister came just three days before the Nilambur by-election, prompting criticism that it may have been a poll-time promise aimed at influencing voters. Now that the polling is over, the lack of any concrete decision regarding pension distribution has caused anxiety among the beneficiaries.

Many are questioning whether the promise was made with the election in mind, rather than as a genuine commitment to the welfare of the state’s pensioners.