Mon Mar 24 14:29:32 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Faces Pension Payment Delays, Minister Seeks Old System’s Reinstatement

**THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, March 24, 2025** – Over 8.46 lakh social security pensioners in Kerala are facing delays in receiving their full monthly pension of ₹1,600 due to a change in the payment mechanism implemented by the central government in January 2023, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal announced on Monday.

The new system directly credits the central government’s share (₹200-₹500 per pensioner) into beneficiaries’ accounts. However, this has resulted in significant delays, forcing the state government to advance the central share from its own funds. The central government frequently fails to credit these funds on time, leaving pensioners with only the state’s share (₹1,100-₹1,400).

This issue affects only those pensioners (8.46 lakh) eligible for both central and state assistance. The remaining 49.84 lakh pensioners, who receive full state funding, are not affected.

Mr. Balagopal stated that the state is owed ₹121.54 crore in reimbursements from the central government under the previous system, where the state paid the full amount and later received reimbursement. He advocated for reverting to this earlier system as the only solution to guarantee timely pension payments to all eligible recipients. Kerala has approximately 60 lakh beneficiaries receiving social security pensions and welfare fund board pensions.

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