Punjab CM announces enhanced pension for war widows

Amarkot:  War widows of Armed forces personnel in Punjab will get financial assistance of Rs 2,000 per month in addition to the already existing pension and other benefits granted to them, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said on Wednesday.

"War widows in Punjab will get a financial assistance of Rs 2,000 per month along with free travel facility in state owned buses," he said while paying tributes to the Armed forces personnel.

Addressing the gathering during a function to mark 50th anniversary of Indo-Pak war in Amarkot, the Chief Minister said that Punjab government was committed in ensuring the welfare of the families of brave hearts.

He said that in the 1965 war, the Indian Army under the leadership of Lt General Harbaksh Singh displayed unmatched valour to combat Pakistan forces, which hardly finds any parallel in world history.

Badal said that the Punjabis inherited a glorious legacy of sacrifice and bravery from the great Sikh Gurus, who taught them to fight against tyranny, oppression and injustice. He that it was a fact that every soldier, who joined the Armed forces has a firm determination to sacrifice his life for the sake of nation.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has recently decided to enhance the one-time grant for the recipient of Param Vir Chakra from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 2 Crore, Mahavir Chakra from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 1 crore, and Vir Chakra from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

Badal said the amount of ex-gratia to all battle casualties in case of death has been increased from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh and in case of disability of 75 per cent and above from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh.

Bemoaning that the quota of Punjab in Armed forces has been "considerably reduced", he said the state government had taken steps to ensure that pristine glory of state in Armed forces was restored. He said the state government has opened a network of centers to ensure that Punjabi youth were selected in Armed forces.