M A I N   N E W S

Haryana sops for the aged, youth
Yoginder Gupta
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 28
The Haryana Government today gave concessions to various sections of society, including the youth, the old, the business community and girls, on the eve of Divali.

The State Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, today decided to give Rs 300 additional to the beneficiaries of the old-age pension scheme in November. It also decided to call it as old-age allowance instead of pension.

The Cabinet decided to raise unemployment allowance for those who have passed10-plus-two class or any other two-year certificate or diploma course after matric from any board or university recognised by the Haryana Government from Rs 100 to Rs 300 per month. Earlier those who had passed the matriculation examination were getting Rs 100 per month.

For graduates or higher degree holders or for those who have passed any three- year certificate/diploma course after 10+2 examination or above, the rate of unemployment allowance will be Rs. 500/- per month instead of the existing Rs 200 per month. An allocation of Rs. 30 crore has been made in the budget for 2005-2006 for this purpose. Mr Hooda told newsmen that the existing matriculate beneficiaries would continue to get Rs 100 per month. He said the allowance would be disbursed through banks.

The Cabinet decided to give ex-post-facto approval to the implementation of the recommendations of the first National Judicial Pay Commission on the improvement of service conditions of the Non-Judicial Staff in Subordinate Courts.

Mr Hooda said jobs would be provided to one dependent of each of the 10 persons killed in the police firing during the farmers’ agitation at Kandela during the Chautala Government. The jobs would be given to them in the Transport Department.

The Cabinet decided to enhance the financial assistance given to the family of deceased government employees from Rs. 2.50 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh for those who opt for financial assistance in lieu of ex-gratia employment. It also decided to introduce the contributory provident fund scheme for employees appointed on or after January 1, 2006. The Cabinet decided to merge the departments of Civil Aviation with Transport, and Cultural Affairs with Public Relations and change the nomenclature of Sports Department to the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs. It was decided to sell revenue stamps through stamp vendors by giving them commission of 3 per cent in areas where the treasuries and sub-treasuries existed and of 4 per cent where they did not exist.

Eight municipalities of Loharu, Hathin, Farrukh Nagar, Jullana, Ateli Mandi, Kanina, Radaur and Sadhaura, which were abolished by the Chautala Government would be reconstituted.

To check the declining sex ratio in the state, the Cabinet approved two schemes, “Ladli” and the Ladli Social Security Pension Scheme for those who had only daughters.