FEDSEN applauds govt’s decision to increase pension

Our Correspondent

Doraha, March 22

S P Karkara (Retd IAS), president of the Federation of Senior Citizens’ Associations Punjab (FEDSEN Punjab), representing around 50 senior citizens’ organisations from various districts, has welcomed the statement of Razia Sultana, Minister of State PWD and Social Security and Development of Women and Children, Punjab, that the old-age pension would be increased to Rs 2,000 per month and a formal announcement in this regard would be made soon.

In a statement issued here today, Karkara hailed the announcement as reflecting the concern of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh towards the senior citizens.

Karkara said the enhancement of pension to Rs 2,000 would provide much-needed economic relief to more than 11 lakh recipients. He said before the Assembly elections, he had written to Captain Amarinder Singh and leaders of other political parties that FEDSEN expected the new government to increase the old-age pension to Rs 2,000 per month. He said the direct transfer of pension to the bank accounts of beneficiaries in rural areas would also eliminate delay and corruption. He pleaded for increasing the pension of those above eighty years to Rs 3,000 per month.