Retirement Age: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday announced that the pension age for tribals and Dalits in the state has been reduced from 60 to 50 years. Addressing a rally at Morhabadi Maidan in Ranchi to mark the fourth year of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led government, Soren emphasized the need for the decision, pointing out that these groups have a high mortality rate and limited employment opportunities after the age of 60.
Recognizing the challenges faced by tribals and Dalits, the government is committed to ensuring that they enjoy pension benefits at the age of 50,” said Soren. This strategic initiative is aimed at particularly benefiting the vulnerable tribal groups in the state. Highlighting the impact of his government’s efforts, the Chief Minister pointed out that in the 20 years since Jharkhand came into existence in 2000, only 16 million people have received pension benefits, while the present government has extended the coverage to 36 million beneficiaries.
In order to improve pension accessibility, Soren emphasized the need to distribute pensions directly to villagers’ homes to demonstrate the government’s commitment to reach out to the grassroots. Meanwhile, he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 343 projects totaling Rs 4,547 crore. Soren also seized the opportunity to lash out at the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of obstructing the government from providing employment opportunities to the youth of Jharkhand. He affirmed the determination of the state government to overcome these obstacles and create employment opportunities for the youth.