Disable, old-age, widow pension beneficiaries increase in WB

Kolkata, Jul 17 (UNI) The number of recipients of disability, old age and widow pension in West Bengal have been increased by 50 per cent.

Stating this in the Assembly here today, Social Welfare Minister Biawanath Chowdhury said the increase was the result of the state government's decision in this regard, which came into effect from April one.

Mr Chowdhury informed this while replying to a question of senior Trinamool Congress member Sougata Roy.

''The state government is committed to extend social welfare facilities to all stratas of the society and the decision of increasing the number of recipients of old age pension, disability pension and widow pension is a step in that direction,'' Mr Chowdhury said.

He, however, said there was no further proposal to enhance the number at present.

UNI