Will examine whether to go ahead with ‘Sthree Suraksha’ pension scheme: Satheesan
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan announced that the government is reviewing the 'Sthree Suraksha' pension scheme to assess its financial viability and beneficiary selection. The administration denies claims of discontinuing welfare but cites concerns over the scheme's implementation by the previous LDF government.
Why it matters
The review reflects the common political challenge of balancing fiscal responsibility with the continuity of populist welfare programs initiated by predecessor administrations.
The State government will examine whether to go ahead with the ‘Sthree Suraksha’ pension scheme or not, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has said.
Responding to questions on the scheme by MLAs during Question Hour in the Assembly on Monday, the Chief Minister said it had been implemented through a government order issued on November 1, 2025, and the first instalment of pension was paid to over 10 lakh beneficiaries in February this year.
However, the government was reviewing aspects of the scheme, including the financial burden, since it had been launched by the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) just before elections even though it had been in power for two successive terms. Only then could it be implemented.
Mr. Satheesan denied the Opposition charge that the United Democratic Front government was discontinuing welfare schemes. “This Onam, the government had given all arrears that the LDF government had not paid.”
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