Pension of freedom fighters, war widows hiked in Raj

The monthly pension of freedom fighters has been increased to Rs 25,000, besides medical allowance to Rs 5,000 a month, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced on Thursday.

Pension of soldiers and war widows of World War II would be more than doubled, from Rs 4,000 a month to Rs 10,000.

Gehlot made the announcement at a function here to mark the birth anniversary of social worker and Gandhian thinker S N Subba Rao. "Freedom fighters would get a pension of Rs 25,000 a month as against Rs 20,000 earlier. Medical allowance would be increased by Rs 1,000 a month to Rs 5,000," Gehlot said.

Stressing the importance of Gandhi and his principles, Gehlot said that a museum on Mahatma Gandhi would be set up to promote his principles. "The museum could also be used to conduct research on the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi," he added. The chief minister said in the present scenario of threat to the Constitution and democracy, Gandhian institutes are required.

No liquor ban

Gehlot also announced wheat will be distributed to 1.74 crore below poverty line families at Re 1 per kg.

Responding to a suggestions for liquor ban, the Congress leader ruled it out saying it was impractical. "Let us take the example of Gujarat liquor ban. Alcohol is smuggled into the dry state and consumed," he said.