Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced a monthly pension of Rs2,000 for war widows in the state. He also announced free bus travel for them.
The Chief Minister presided over a function held to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Indo-Pak war at Asal Uttar village near Khemkaran,
He said the government had already decided to enhance the monetary compensation for the recipients of Param Vir Chakra from Rs30 lakh to Rs2 crore, Mahavir Chakra from Rs20 lakh to Rs1 crore and for Vir Chakra from Rs15 lakh to Rs50 lakh. Badal also announced to raise the monthly travel allowance of war widows from Rs150 to Rs500.
Family members of 1965 war hero Abdul Hameed and the daughter of legendary Lt General Harbaksh Singh were honoured on the occasion.
The Chief Minister said the ex gratia in case of battle casualties had been increased from Rs2 lakh to Rs5 lakh; in case of disability of 75 per cent and above from Rs2 lakh to Rs4 lakh and disability of 50 per cent and above from Rs1 lakh to Rs2 lakh.
Addressing the gathering, Badal said the paddy growers need not have to worry as every grain would be procured by the government. He said the farmers and soldiers were the backbone of the country and government was working for their welfare.
Chief of Western Command of the Army Lieutenant General KJ Singh lauded the state government for organising the event. “The residents of this area had played a great role in winning the war. The soldiers and farmers have always worked in tandem,” he said.
Lok Sabha MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Cabinet Minister Bikram Majithia, Janmeja Singh Sekhon and Chunni Lal Bhagat, area MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha and serving and retired officials of the armed forces were present on the occasion.
