Pinarayi Slams UDF Govt for Stalling Sthree Suraksha pension; Over 16 Lakh Homemakers Left Without April-May Payments

Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan has declared that the UDF government's moves to undermine the Sthree Suraksha Pension scheme are unacceptable, with payments to over 16 lakh homemakers remaining suspended due to what he described as a deliberate policy decision by the current administration. The April and May pension instalments are being held up in files pending with the Finance Department — which functions directly under the Chief Minister.

The Sthree Suraksha scheme was launched by the LDF government in October 2025 to provide a monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 to women between 35 and 60 years of age from poor households, recognising the economic value of unpaid domestic labour. The scheme had 31.34 lakh beneficiaries and the LDF government had set aside ₹3,720 crore for it in its final budget, with payments disbursed regularly through March.

Pinarayi noted that the Supreme Court, in a landmark observation on June 11, had recognised homemakers as "architects of the nation" whose labour forms the foundation of the country's progress — a principle the LDF had acted on well in advance through this scheme.

He charged that the UDF leadership, which had ridiculed the scheme from the outset, is now working behind the scenes to dismantle it entirely — withholding two months of payments while also delaying decisions on fresh applications submitted by new beneficiaries. It is deeply ironic, he said, that a government which prides itself on being pro-women is the one attempting to destroy Kerala's flagship women's welfare scheme. Pinarayi Vijayan demanded that the UDF government reverse its position immediately.