Archive · 9 Aug 2026

RJD criticises Kerala UDF move to stop cooperative bank pensions

RJD criticises Kerala UDF move to stop cooperative bank pensions

In Kerala, a state in India, the government changed how pension money is given to people who need it.

Earlier, cooperative banks brought the pension straight to people's homes.

Now the government wants the money sent directly into people's bank accounts, a system called Direct Benefit Transfer.

The government says the old system caused problems like delays, mistakes, and sometimes paying the same person twice.

It also worried about losing money from the central government by not following new rules.

A leader named Varghese George thinks the new plan is a bad idea.

He says many pensioners do not have bank accounts linked to Aadhaar, so they may not get their money.

He also says banks may take fees from the pension, and about 5,000 workers who delivered pensions door-to-door could lose their jobs.

The government says bedridden people who cannot visit banks will still get their pensions at home.

Both sides say they want to help pensioners, but they disagree about the best way to do it.

Sources