CHENNAI: The old-age pension (OAP) scheme had a heated discussion in the Assembly on Wednesday as DMK members locked horns with Revenue Minister RB Udhayakumar.
Participating in the debate on demand for grants to the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) and Tamil Development Departments, former minister and DMK member KR Periakaruppan alleged that OAP was not being issued to several eligible persons left helpless in society.
The Revenue Minister responded, “Your government allocated only Rs1,200 crore but our Chief Minister has earmarked Rs4,200 crore for distribution of OAP in the State.”
He said that orders had been issued to give monthly financial aid to 47,000 persons during the 100 days of the government.
However, Periakaruppan said several eligible persons were not given pension. Brushing aside the charges, the Minister asked him to provide evidence. Triggering commotion, DMK members took to their feet and shouted at him, saying that a large number of people were not given the monthly dole despite issuing sanction orders.
The Speaker’s efforts to put the House in order failed as the unrelenting DMK members kept on challenging the minister and engaged in a heated argument.
Peace was restored only after the intervention of the Leader of the House, O Panneerselvam, who said the matter was discussed several times and now it could be stopped.