Aam Aadmi Party’s National Media In-Charge Anurag Dhanda on Friday accused the BJP-led Haryana government of conspiring to deprive elderly farmers of their old-age pension by changing pension eligibility rules. Terming the move “cruel and insensitive,” Dhanda said the decision would adversely affect thousands of poor farmers and senior citizens across the state .
Anurag Dhanda Accuses Haryana BJP Government of Plotting to Cut Old-Age Pension of Elderly Farmers
Addressing the issue in Chandigarh, Anurag Dhanda alleged that the government is preparing to cut pensions of elderly farmers who own more than four acres of agricultural land or sell crops through the Mera Fasal Mera Byora portal. He warned that such changes would lead to the exclusion of many deserving beneficiaries from pension schemes.
Dhanda said global studies and reports clearly indicate that small and marginal farmers
Dhanda said global studies and reports clearly indicate that small and marginal farmers barely recover their costs after selling crops and do not earn real profits. “Selling crops does not mean net income. It includes expenses such as labour, ploughing, seeds, fertilisers, and irrigation. Declaring a farmer ‘prosperous’ simply because he sold crops worth ₹1.80 lakh reflects a complete lack of understanding,” he said.
Calling the BJP government insensitive towards farmers, Anurag Dhanda accused Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini of failing to differentiate between poverty and prosperity. He added that while the BJP talks about financial assistance to farmers, it is simultaneously attempting to snatch away old-age pensions from poor and elderly citizens.
Dhanda further alleged that in several cases, the income of family members living separately is being added to that of elderly pensioners, leading to arbitrary pension cuts. As a result, many senior citizens are being forced to make repeated visits to government offices, causing mental stress and financial hardship.
Describing old-age pension as a constitutional and social right, Anurag Dhanda said it is not a government favour. He accused the BJP government of using technicalities, digital portals, and rigid rules as tools to deny elderly citizens their rightful pension.
Warning of wider consequences, Dhanda said that if farmers across the country do not collectively oppose such policies, similar pension cuts could be implemented in other BJP-ruled states as well. He demanded that the Haryana government immediately withdraw the revised pension norms and protect the dignity and rights of elderly farmers.
