The Maharashtra government has decided to provide the pension for three months - from April to June - to about 35 lakh people belonging to the deprived section of the society. The beneficiaries including widows, senior citizens, orphans and differently-abled will get the pension under various schemes of the government in the next two days.
Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Dhananjay Munde had submitted a proposal to the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Ajit Pawar, Deputy CM and state Finance Minister, approved the proposal and allocated ₹1,257 crores for the same. The government will deposit the amount directly into the bank account of the beneficiaries.
Every month, the state government pays ₹1,000 each to nearly 23 lakh beneficiaries under two of its schemes, the Times of India reported. Moreover, the state pays its share towards three central schemes and two other schemes including pension for retired widows and differently-abled persons.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has increased the number of meals under Shiv Bhojan Thali to 1.5 lakh. Earlier, the government was providing meals to one lakh people. The Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme is a highly subsidised meal available for the poor and the needy.
Since the nationwide lockdown has been extended till May 3, the demand for the Shiv Bhojan Thali schemes has increased, especially among the homeless and stranded migrant workers and labourers who are left with no money and work due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Maharashtra Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said that the state government has decided to provide 50,000 additional thalis under the Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme. This is being done to ensure that the poor do not go empty stomach during the lockdown, Bhujbal said.
Maharashtra government to provide 1.5 lakh meals under 'Shiv Bhojan Thali' scheme
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