Telangana govt hikes pension; fulfills one of poll promises
Monthly pension for various categories of beneficiaries has been hiked from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,016. The decision to this effect was taken in cabinet meeting chaired by Chef Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.
Hyderabad: Fulfilling one of the poll promises, the K. Chandrashekar Rao government of Telangana hiked monthly pension for various categories of beneficiaries from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,016.
The decision to this effect was taken at the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Wedenesday, an official announcement said.
The pension for the differently-abled and aged artistes has also been increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,016 and the revised pensions would be paid from June last.
The decision was taken to fulfil one of poll promises of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party before the assembly elections .
It is decided to increase the pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,016 for widows, toddy workers, handloom workers, single women, filaria-affected persons, AIDS-affected people and the senior citizens, official sources said.
The hike in pension would cost the state exchequer Rs 12,000 crore per year. The state government will bear Rs 11,800 crores while the Centre will spend Rs 200 crore.
The documents relating to increased pension amounts will be distributed among beneficiaries in all Assembly constituencies from July 20. Ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, Zilla Parishad chairpersons will participate in the programme.
The cabinet has also decided to reduce the old-age pension scheme eligibility age from 65 to 57 years in tune with the promise made in TRS election manifesto. The cabinet has instructed the officials concerned to prepare the list of persons of 57 years of age.
The cabinet gave approval to the draft of the new Municipal Bill. The CM will introduce the draft bill in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday. Both the Houses will debate and pass the bill.
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