Sushma labels old age a curse, PM disputes it

When the soon-to-turn 50 Sushma Swaraj referred to old age as a curse, that too on the occasion of launch of an insurance-linked pension scheme for the aged, the one man who disputed it was the chief guest — Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee.

‘‘Sushmaji ne abhi kaha ki budhapa ek bimari hai, main ise nahin manta aur agar aisa hai to hum iska ant kar denge,’’ Vajpayee said. He then proceeded to show how. Launching the insurance-linked pension scheme for senior citizens, as announced in the Union Budget for 2003-04, he directed the finance and health ministers to ensure effective implementation of the scheme, which gives policy holders a steady 9 per cent return, irrespective of the fall in interest rates.

He said such sections of population could attain financial independence through a marginal investment.