Distribution of social welfare pension from Wednesday; land allocated for ship block construction in Kochi's Aamanthuruthu

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V D Satheesan said that the distribution of social welfare pension will begin from Wednesday. Speaking at a press conference, the Chief Minister said that the pension scheduled to be paid from the 25th of this month would be distributed from Wednesday.

The Chief Minister said Rs 1,105 crore has been allocated to distribute social welfare pensions ahead of Onam. Of this, Rs 951.40 crore has been allocated as the state's share for social security pensions covering 5,90,472 beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to lease 18.17 acres of land at Aamanthuruthu, near Kochi city, to Cochin Shipyard. The land will be used for supplying ship blocks. Cochin Shipyard has assured an investment of Rs 5,000 crore for the project, the Chief Minister said. The project is expected to directly create around 2,000 job opportunities.