Penury grant for ex-servicemen, widows enhanced

9New Delhi June 8 (IANS) The government has enhanced the penury grant to non-pensioner ex-servicemen and widows to Rs 4 000 per month from the existing Rs 1 000 an official statement said on Thursday.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley approved the increase in the penury grant following demands by different stake holders including ex-servicemen associations Rajya Sainik Boards and widows.

Recently the Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra had also sent a proposal to the Defence Minister to increase the amount to Rs 4 000.

The penury grant is provided to non-pensioner ex-servicemen and widows who are above 65 years of age by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare Ministry of Defence through Kendriya Sainik Board.

The step of enhancement of penury grant will benefit a large number of non-pensioner ex-servicemen and widows who are in a state of penury the statement said.

Earlier it was a one time grant of Rs 30 000. It was revised to Rs 1 000 per month in October 2011.

--IANS
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