Haryana raises widow pension

Chandigarh, June 5 (UNI) The Haryana government has decided to enhance widow pension from Rs 300 per month to Rs 350 with effect from May one.

Social Welfare Minister Kartar Devi said the necessary funds for the same have been released as Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had announced to increase the amount of widow pension by Rs 50 on April 18.

She said as a result of this decision, the state exchequer would have to bear an additional burden of Rs 1.87 crore per month.

There were 3,74,035 beneficiaries under widow pension scheme as on April one, she added.

Ms Devi said apart from this, 9,40,635 beneficiaries were getting old age allowance of Rs 300 per month and 97,336 were getting handicapped pension of Rs 300 per month.

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