Bhupinder Hooda alleges massive pension cuts by BJP govt in Haryana

Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday accused the BJP government in Haryana of “snatching away the support of the elderly in their old age” by cutting pensions and ration cards.

Hooda alleged that the BJP, now in its third term, was “intoxicated by power” and recklessly cancelling benefits of poor families. Citing Ambala district as an example, he claimed that BPL ration cards and pensions of nearly 54,000 families had been stopped.

Referring to Central government data, Hooda said after the Assembly elections, more than 14 lakh ration cards had been cut in Haryana — the highest in the country. He also alleged that pensions of thousands of elderly beneficiaries were being discontinued.

While elderly persons were making repeated visits to government offices for restoration of pensions, the government was claiming that no pensions had been cut, Hooda said, terming it “adding insult to injury.”

He claimed that during the Congress regime, old-age pension was increased from Rs 300 to Rs 1,500 — a five-fold rise — whereas the BJP had increased it by only 100 per cent in 11 years despite steep inflation.

Hooda also criticised the Family ID system introduced by the BJP, alleging it was being used to reassess incomes and cancel pensions. “The government can simply show an increase in anyone’s income and cut their pension overnight,” he said.

He further alleged that several sections of society had been adversely affected by the government’s policies.