"Elderly people need support. They face hard time because the present amount of the pension is quite low and it should be increased to make their life dignified," Roy said.
Dey demanded Rs 2,000 per month for elderly people.
"Minimum pension for elderly people should be at least Rs 2,000 per month. There are almost 10 crore elderly people in the country and every sixth is bound to live alone," Dey told reporters.
"The central government should take decision to increase the minimum pension. In present there is a provision of old age pension of Rs 200 over the age of 60 and Rs 500 above the age of 80. The scheme covers only BPL candidates but it should be for all," he said.
He suggested the government can impose cess to meet requirement of additional budget for increasing the pension amount.
Aruna Roy said that the government should increase the pension for the dignity of the elderly people.
