The Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) [SUCI(C)] will hold a mass protest in Dharwad on August 31 demanding the immediate restoration of pensions to eligible beneficiaries under various social security schemes.
Addressing a press conference in Dharwad on Monday, SUCI(C) State Committee member Rammanjanappa Aldalli said that pensions of lakhs of beneficiaries have been suspended for nearly five months in the name of re-verifying beneficiary records.
He said that elderly persons, widows, persons with disabilities, unmarried women and transgender persons are being severely affected as many depend on the monthly pension for their livelihood and medical expenses.
Mr. Aldalli said that the State government has identified 18 lakh beneficiaries across Karnataka, including 36,000 beneficiaries in Dharwad district, as “suspicious” and they have reportedly been included in the verification process.
He said that beneficiaries have been asked to submit documents within a stipulated period but many rural residents, particularly those with limited literacy, are struggling to understand the requirements.
The party said that officials have assured it that the deadline for submitting documents will be extended and urged the district administration to implement the decision.
He also criticised the requirement that beneficiaries submit a fresh income certificate showing an annual family income of not more than ₹32,000.
Mr. Aldalli termed the ceiling unrealistic and said that even a labour working for 100 days under the rural employment guarantee programme can earn more than the prescribed limit.
He said that elderly beneficiaries are being forced to make repeated visits to taluk and revenue offices often waiting for hours and losing their daily wages. The State government should instead send officials to houses of beneficiaries to verify records and collect documents, he said.
The party will organise a protest rally from Kalabhavan Grounds to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Dharwad at 11 a.m. on August 31.
The key demands include appointing dedicated staff in every panchayat for pension verification, withdrawing the ₹32,000 income ceiling and continuing to use the BPL ration card as an eligibility criterion.
It also demanded a wider awareness campaign and door-to-door collection of documents.
Published - August 17, 2026 08:13 pm IST