Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman engaged in a public dispute with Congress member Jairam Ramesh over the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), defending the scheme's design and benefits, including a guaranteed minimum 8% return. She refuted Ramesh's "baseless accusations" that the APY is coercive, forcing people to enroll without consent. Sitharaman highlighted the scheme's affordability, mentioning a subscription cost of only Rs 42 for a Rs 1000 pension. The exchange sparked a broader debate on the government's welfare efforts, particularly in relation to women's welfare, which was also defended by Smriti Irani against Congress's accusations.
Atal Pension Yojana design best, guarantees minimum 8% return, #NirmalaSitharaman says refuting #Congress' charges https://t.co/2A8USf1JFl
#JairamRamesh calls #AtalPensionYojana a ‘paper tiger’, #NirmalaSitharaman counters https://t.co/5xoPj4NnKf https://t.co/8LKtEiO7Lq
'Rs 1000 pension, subscription only Rs 42...' - FM Nirmala Sitharaman's STRONG reply to Jairam Ramesh on Atal Pension Yojana @nsitharaman @nsitharamanoffc @FinMinIndia https://t.co/ij5WPKkMSU
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweets, "Surprised that Jairam Ramesh plays a spin doctor here. You say: “Finance Minister has admitted that the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is coercive and forces people to enrol without their consent.” When there is no coercion or force… https://t.co/6o106RByai
“Finance Minister has admitted that the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is coercive and forces people to enrol without their consent.” When there is no coercion or force at all, where have I admitted any such! FM @nsitharaman slams Jairam Ramesh. https://t.co/R9vP62jkND
#NirmalaSitharaman Fires Back At #JairamRamesh: Atal Pension Yojana Is No 'Paper Tiger' https://t.co/oArpMQzXSM
Atal Pension Yojana design best, guarantees minimum 8% return, #NirmalaSitharaman says refuting #Congress' charges https://t.co/2A8USf1JFl
Nirmala Sitharaman Counters Jairam Ramesh's Criticism Of Pension Scheme https://t.co/WX29JGTH9Q https://t.co/h7rwLUvupG
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) slams Congress' Jairam Ramesh over his remarks on Atal Pension Yojana. https://t.co/RJBfdr6irQ
#SmritiIrani slams #Congress' #JairamRamesh for "baseless accusations" about Centre's #women's welfare efforts https://t.co/GNl3MONE2B