Disability pension to people with 40 pc or more disability

Lucknow, June 10 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh has decided to provide disability pension to all eligible beneficiaries at the rate of Rs 150 per month, who have 40 per cent or more disability.

Informing this here yesterday, Minister for Disabled Welfare S N Tiwari said so far 2,18,000 disabled were getting benefit of pension in the state.

''A three-fold increase in the number of disabled pension beneficiaries has been made. Now, the facility will be provided to about 7 lakh disabled in UP,'' he informed He said necessary provision in the 2006-07 budget had been made and the fund released to the District Disabled Welfare officers of districts concerned.

Mr Tiwari hoped all gram pradhans will issue disabled certificates to eligible beneficiaries at their level and extend cooperation in disbursement of pension on the basis of a disability cerificate issued by medical board constituted under the chairmanship of the respective chief medical officers (CMOs).

The minister said a disability certificate issued by medical expert of Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres would also be accepted.

UNI VS RL KP0929