Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal announced on Saturday that the distribution of welfare pensions for the month of June has commenced. However, he noted that the process would require time to be completed, given the substantial number of beneficiaries, which stands at approximately 62 lakh, reported PTI.

Balagopal also firmly dismissed as baseless the allegation made by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph, who had claimed that the government had failed to pay the welfare pension for the month. The minister stated that the KPCC chief's accusation was made without a proper understanding of the established procedures and technicalities involved in pension distribution.

He further clarified that a sum of Rs 825.71 crore designated for welfare pensions was sanctioned on June 20, and the corresponding amount has since been transferred to the concerned banks, according to PTI.