On IPL auction day, Suresh Raina applies for pension

Lucknow: The government of Uttar Pradesh to provide Rs 50,000 monthly pension to Yash Bharti awardees has received 100 applications including those from actor-turned-MP Raj Babbar and wife, classical vocalist Girija Devi, Chhannulal Mishra and India cricketer Suresh Raina.

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According to media reports, the UP government sent out a copy of the notification on the pension to 141 recipients of Yash Bharti and January 31 was the last day to apply for the pension.

Yash Bharti award is given to renowned persons belonging to the state in domains such as sports, literature, art, culture, medicine, journalism and social service. The scheme is amongst the highest paying schemes in the state.

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Others, who have applied for the monetary benefit are poet Gopal Das Neeraj, cricketer Mohammed Kaif and actor Jimmy Shergill.

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, his wife Jaya and son Abhishek too had received the award but the Bachchans declined the pension. Senior Bacchan requested the Uttar Pradesh government to donate the monthly pension to charity.

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I respect the UP Govt's honour of the Yash Bharati Award to members of my family, and their decision as per reports in the press, for providing pension of Rs 50,000 per month to each recipient, I am requesting the UP Govt, with all humility, to redirect the entire amount designated for my family towards any noble charitable scheme or cause that benefits the poor and the needy. I shall be writing to the Chief Minister in this regard, in a separate communication," Bachchan said in a statement.