A coalition of civil society activits has criticized the Union Budget 2023-24 for reducing government spending on the social sector by a massive amount. The economic crisis induced by the Covid-19 pandemic was borne disproportionately by those at the bottom of the pyramid and in this context spending on social protection schemes such as the Public Distribution System, anganwadis, pensions and MGNREGA is especially important. But the Government of India has...

-Hindustan Times The Himachal Pradesh government has written to the Centre asking for a refund of the money deposited for the New Pension Scheme, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Wednesday. Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government has written to the Centre asking for a refund of the money deposited for the New Pension Scheme (NPS), chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Wednesday, moving another step closer to fulfilling the poll...

-Newsclick.in In an open letter addressed to Nirmala Sitharaman, 51 eminent economists have flagged less contribution to NOAPS and the lack of action on ensuring maternity benefits. Several prominent economists have proposed to the Union finance ministry to increase social security pensions and make adequate provisions for maternity benefits in the 2023-24 Union Budget. In an open letter addressed to Union finance minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman, 51 eminent economists—including Abhijeet Singh (Stockholm School...

-The Telegraph The National Pension System is a disaster for retiring employees, says an apex body of various government unions; pension under existing scheme just 15% of that under earlier one A federation of Central government employees’ unions has written to the Cabinet Secretary to restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), stating that the National Pension System (NPS) is a disaster for retiring employees in their old age. The federation said a Defence...

-The New Indian Express Currently, all those who are above 60 years of age and fulfill the economic criteria stipulated by the government are eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 in the State. CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu government may soon tweak the old-age pension scheme offered for senior citizens by introducing an age-based differential pension scheme for people in the 60-70, 70-80, and 80+ age groups. According to the new Senior Citizen...