Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R. Ashoka, on Thursday, 15 October 2026, accused the state's Congress government of withholding social security pensions from over 18 lakh beneficiaries — including the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities — for several months. The allegation comes even as the Centre has committed ₹53,428 crore to the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for the next five years.

The Allegation Against the Karnataka Government

Ashoka drew a sharp contrast between the Centre's continued investment in social welfare and what he described as administrative failure at the state level. According to him, pensions meant to sustain Karnataka's most vulnerable citizens have not been reaching beneficiaries for several months running.

'Pension is not a favour granted by the government. It is a lifeline for eligible beneficiaries. Ensuring that pensions reach the elderly, widows and persons with disabilities on time is the government's responsibility,' Ashoka said.

He urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to immediately release all pending pension dues, describing the delay as an abdication of constitutional responsibility toward citizens who depend entirely on this assistance for their livelihood.

Centre's NSAP Commitment: The Contrast Being Drawn

The BJP's criticism is anchored in a comparison with the Union government's recent renewal of the National Social Assistance Programme. The Centre has extended NSAP for the next five years with a financial outlay of ₹53,428 crore, with the programme set to benefit 3.20 crore people nationally. Ashoka argued that while the Centre was expanding the social safety net, the state Congress government was failing to disburse even existing entitlements.

'On one side, the Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working to provide social security to 3.20 crore beneficiaries by continuing the National Social Assistance Programme for the next five years at an expenditure of ₹53,428 crore. On the other hand, social security pensions meant to support the elderly, widows and persons with disabilities have not been reaching beneficiaries in Karnataka for several months,' he said.

BJP State President Weighs In on PM-KISAN

Separately, BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra praised the Centre's PM-KISAN scheme for its direct financial support to women farmers. 'Empowering women farmers means strengthening the very foundation of Indian agriculture. Under PM Shri Narendra Modi's leadership, PM-KISAN is providing direct financial support to women farmers, strengthening their livelihoods, financial independence and contribution to building a prosperous agricultural sector,' Vijayendra said. His remarks positioned the BJP's wider narrative around the Centre's welfare record against the state government's alleged shortcomings.

What the Delays Mean for Beneficiaries

Social security pensions under state and central schemes are frequently the sole income source for senior citizens without family support, widows with no earning members, and differently-abled individuals unable to work. A multi-month delay in disbursement can force these households into debt or dependence on informal moneylenders. Notably, Karnataka's social welfare budget has faced scrutiny before over implementation gaps, making Ashoka's charge politically potent ahead of the state's ongoing budget deliberations.

The Congress government in Bengaluru is yet to formally respond to these specific allegations. With over 18 lakh beneficiaries reportedly still awaiting payments, the pressure on Chief Minister Shivakumar to act is likely to intensify in the coming days.