Ex-servicemen to get higher pension

New Delhi, June 28 (UNI) Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said the demands of ex-servicemen with regard to one-rank-one-pension issue have been met substantially, and the pension of those up to the rank of havaldar will be raised by Rs 400-500 a month.

''The increase in pension will cost the government about Rs 460 crore annually,'' Mr Mukherjee said, aaddressing the 26th meeting of the Kendriya Sainik Board, which looks after the well-being of retired personnel and their families.

The government decision will benefit nearly 50,000 sepoys, naiks and havaldars of non-commissioned ranks who retire from the three services every year.

Mr Mukherjee said the government had also decided to launch a new 'Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme' for children of retired personnel for their technical and professional education from the current academic year.

Under the scheme, girls will be entitled to scholarships of Rs 1,500 a month and boys Rs 1,200 a month.

The Defence Minister commended Bihar and Rajasthan for creating jobs for ex-servicemen, including their recruitment in the police force.

He appealed to state governments and union territories to explore all possible avenues of providing re-employment to retired soldiers and extend their development and welfare programmes to them.

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