Monthly pension for single women: KCR

Hyderabad, Jan 6 (INN): Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao said that the State Government has decided to give Rs 1000 per month per person pension to single women in Telangana State.

Making a statement in Telangana Legislative Assembly on Friday, the Chief Minister that the decision would offer some financial protection to them. 'Rs 1000 per month pension for single woman scheme' will come into effect from the next financial year. 'We are instructing district collectors to start registering details of single women in the district. We are also appealing to the eligible women to get their names registered under the Scheme. We are also requesting all the legislators to take responsibility in getting the eligible women enrolled under the Scheme,' he said.

The Chief Minister said that his government was resolved to render justice to all sections of the people and want every sociological group in the State to live with financial support, dignity and self-respect. 'For this, the Telangana government is working to strengthen and protect the lives of the people. This is precisely the reason; the government in all its policies and programmes is giving a human touch. The state government has allocated a lion's share in the State's Annual Budget for the welfare programmes and activities. People in the State have already realised that this government is on the side of the poor. This is the very reason why people are standing solidly behind the government,' he said.

KCR said generally, political parties to a greater extent try to implement the programmes and schemes that they have promised in their respective election manifestos. But he claimed that his government has gone a step ahead and taking measures to render justice to the poor whenever it came across any problem.

'As promised in our manifesto, we are giving pensions to the aged people, differently abled persons, and widows under Asara Scheme. In some places in the State, women are eking out a living by making Beedis and thus supporting their families and their livelihood. But whatever hard work they are doing, they are not earning the amount that would sustain their families. Understanding their plight, the government has sanctioned Rs 1000 per month per woman as pension. The women Beedi workers are happy that the government has given them the financial support,' he said adding that deserved sections were getting financial help without even asking for it.

The Chief Minister also made a mention of 'Kalyana Laxmi' and 'Shaadi Mubarak' schemes which facilitates payment of Rs. 51,000 financial assistance at the time of marriage of the poor girl.

Stating that the new pension scheme for single women was being introduced on humanitarian grounds, he hoped that the Assembly would unanimously welcome the decision, which has been taken not withstanding financial burden on the Exchequer.