Chief Minister and Leader of the house Dr. Neiphiu Rio, on March 7, stated that 60 years is not an age to retire and highlighted the need for a Pension Policy Review. He was replying to the supplementary question raised by NPF Legislature Achumbemo Kikon on old age pension scheme, during the sixth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA).
While acknowledging the advancements in medical science that have increased life expectancy, Rio noted that Nagaland government employees retire at the age of sixty, while in other states and central government services, the retirement age is higher. He emphasized that this issue should be reviewed by both the Government of India (GoI) and the Government of Nagaland (GoN) to ensure alignment and fairness.
Rio noted that active individuals tend to live longer and remain healthier, suggesting that early pension eligibility might discourage working and lead to dependency. “60 years is not an age to retire, as there is still much life to live,” said Rio.
The policy of the Government of India (GoI) has certain limitations, and as per records from various district welfare officers, there are 16,003 eligible beneficiaries who are yet to be covered under the old age pension scheme. Many more eligible individuals cannot be included due to the cap imposed by the ministry, which is based on the Below Poverty Line (BPL) population from the 2021 census and highlights the need for updating. He further added that once the state’s financial situation improves, efforts will be made to ensure justice and better support for the elderly population.
The Chief Minister also addressed the issue of fraudulent beneficiaries, noting that village councils play a crucial role in identifying eligible individuals. He called for sincerity in this process and mentioned that discussions are ongoing regarding increasing the pension amount and determining the appropriate age for eligibility under the ‘Old Age Pension’ scheme.
Expressing concern on the scheme, NPF Legislature Achumbemo Kikon emphasized the need for a dedicated policy to support elderly parents and grandparents. He informed that the current government policy considers individuals aged 60 and above as eligible for old age pensions. However, Kikon noted that this is a policy of the Government of India (GoI) and cannot be changed immediately. Instead, he suggested that the state should develop its own policy to address local needs. With the current life expectancy in Nagaland being 79.9 years for females and 71.5 years for males, Kikon pointed out that many elderly individuals in rural areas are living well into their 70s and 80s, yet the younger generation is increasingly reluctant to care for their aging parents and grandparents. He expressed concern that this shift in attitude is leading to more elderly being sent to old-age homes rather than being cared for within the family, which contradicts traditional Naga cultural values.
Under the current scheme, individuals aged 60 and above receive Rs. 200 per month (totaling Rs. 2,400 annually), while those aged 80 and above receive Rs. 500 per month (totaling Rs. 6,000 annually). Kikon argued that these amounts are insufficient and proposed the creation of a separate budget for individuals aged 85 and above, particularly in rural areas. He suggested that even a modest pension could incentivize families to care for their elderly at home, aligning with Naga cultural traditions.
Kikon also urged the government to identify villages with large elderly populations and consider establishing old-age homes for those without family support. He stressed that any policy should reflect Naga traditions and culture, ensuring that the elderly are treated with dignity and respect.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Advisor for Water Resources, Tongpang Ozukum, supplemented the discussion by questioning the criteria for availing the old age pension, noting that many eligible elderly individuals in his constituency are not receiving the benefits. NDPP Legislator T.K Sukhalu also participated, seeking clarification on the number of beneficiaries, which currently stands at 63,372, and whether this is the maximum limit.
Advisor Social Welfare Wangpang Konyak, in his reply, mentioned that every scheme or project has underlying guidelines and eligibility criteria for execution and beneficiary inclusion. He noted that deviations from these criteria often occur due to intentions to be more accommodative, inclusive, or generous, which can lead to unintended consequences.
Konyak explained that the Old Age Pension Scheme is a welfare initiative aimed at providing financial aid to citizens with little or no regular income, particularly those in dire need of social security. It targets individuals living below the poverty line or elderly persons from the poorest households. He acknowledged that there are likely many genuine individuals in the state who are not covered under the scheme, raising questions about the coverage limits.
He informed that the Ministry of Rural Development has capped the number of beneficiaries based on the BPL ratio and the 2001 census, preventing the addition of new beneficiaries. The list is already saturated, partly due to dishonest practices, such as the inclusion of individuals above the poverty line or non-eligible populations. Konyak emphasized that wrongful inclusions, such as high-income families availing the scheme, are filling the slots meant for the genuinely needy. Konyak cited instances pensioners coming from high-end vehicles being used to collect pensions or BPL rations, highlighting the hypocrisy in the system. He mentioned that one district with over 400 ineligible beneficiaries were found and later replaced with eligible ones. He asserted that such duplications exist across various schemes and stressed the need for honesty and truthfulness in claims to ensure the inclusion of genuinely vulnerable and deserving applicants.
In conclusion, Konyak called for public education and awareness to ensure meaningful implementation of the scheme and to create opportunities for more deserving individuals to be included. He emphasized that without honesty and integrity, the list will remain saturated, defeating the purpose of the scheme.
