LUCKNOW: Congress has started preparing strategy to corner the Yogi Adityanath government over slash in pension of Yash Bharti Awardees and hiking pension of Loktantrik Senani in the coming Monsoon Session of the Assembly.
"In the coming Monsoon session, we will raise the issue of adopting different yardsticks in issuing pension. One for those who brought laurels to the state and others who went to jail for political reasons," asserted Leader of the Congress in Legislative Council, Deepak Singh here on Saturday.
The monsoon session of the state legislature is expected in the last week of August.
"Why did the state government withdraw the pension of Yash Bharati winners and after much hue and cry, slash the amount from Rs 50,000 per month to Rs 25,000 per month. What is also beyond comprehension is that why did the government hike the pension of Loktantrik Senanis from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 per month," he questioned.
"It shows how Yogi is only working for the welfare of Saffron leaders. Yash Bharati winners were given pension for bringing laurels to the state in art, sports, literature, film etc.
But these eminent personalities perhaps do not matter to the CM.
Yogi is only interested in facilitating party leaders at the cost of outstanding achievers from UP," Mr Singh said.
The Congress leader further attacked Yogi for imposing riders for pension to Yash Bharti awardees.
"Yogi several conditions, like those paying Income Tax or getting any salary or pension would be not entitled for pension," cited Mr Singh asking similar conditions were not laid out for Loktantrik Senani pension.
"Majority of Loktantrik Senanis getting pension are already getting other pensions or even salary from two or more places as they were mostly former MLAs, MPs. Some of them are even members of some House or the other and majority of them are Income Tax payers. I fail to understand why the double standards," Mr Singh said.
At a recent cabinet decision, pension for 5900 Loktantrik Senanis was raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 per month.
Yogi had said that his government was committed to guarding the democratic values.
The hike was likely to inflict an additional annual burden of Rs 35.35 crore on state exchequer.
Interestingly, Yogi withdrew pension for Yash Bharti awardees earlier.
Noted poet Gopal Das Neeraj ,just before his death, requested Yogi to restart it after which the CM re-introduced it but with 50 per cent cut and several riders.