ITANAGAR, Nov 17:In a major relief to the senior citizens, old age people, the State Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu in its meeting today, fulfilled the State Government’s commitment of enhancing old age pension and disability pension made during the budget speech of 2017-18. The state cabinet made substantial enhancement to the monthly pension of Old Age Pension Scheme, National Widow Pension Scheme and National Disability Pension Scheme on the state share component.

As per the approved proposal, Old Age Pension Scheme for (60 to 79 years) which was earlier at Rs. 200 has now been enhanced to Rs.1500 with the state share of Rs. 1300 thereby recording an increase of 86% in the grants. On the similar lines, Old Age Pension Scheme for (80 years and above) which was earlier at Rs. 500 has now been enhanced to Rs.2000 with the state share of Rs. 1500 recording an increase of 75%.

The National Widow Pension Scheme for both below 80 years and above 80 years have been now enhanced to 2000 from the earlier 300 and 500 respectively with the state share of 1700 and 1500. Similarly, National Disability Pension Scheme saw a leap of 85% in its grants with the new enhanced amount pegged at Rs. 2000 against the previous grant amount of Rs. 500/300.

It is worth mentioning that all these social security schemes were hundred percent centrally sponsored programmes.

Moreover, the State Cabinet today approved for allocating 1% from the State Share of free electricity from the 405 MW hydro electric project on Ranganadi (Panyor) of Yazali for Local Area Development Fund for the project affected areas.

It may be recalled that on July 20 this year, the project affected people of 405 MW Ranganadi hydro electric project had apprised the CM of their grievances.

Khandu had announced 1% share for development of affected villages by the project in a tripartite meeting in order to resolve the impasse. The meeting was attended by NEEPCO authorities headed by its CMD A G West Kharkongor, RHEP MoU Demand Committee headed by its Chairman Taba Tachi and Secretary Tao Tana, Chief Secretary (in Charge) Satya Gopal, Power Commissioner Ashish Kundra, Deputy Commissioners of Papum Pare and Lower Subansiri and local legislators Nabam Tuki and Likha Saaya.With this decision of the cabinet, the State Government has fulfilled a long pending demand of the project affected people of 405 MW Ranganadi hydro electric project of Yazali and adjoining areas. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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