Pensions, scholarships, honorarium and much more: Shower of benefits to impress ahead of elections

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala government offering a slew of benefits to satisfy all sections of the people as the local body and assembly elections approach. Welfare pension has been increased from Rs 1600 to Rs 2000, benefiting 62 lakh people. Women's security pension of Rs 1,000 per month to be given to women between the ages of 35 and 60 from economically backward families. 31.34 lakh people will benefit. Those who are not receiving other social welfare pensions will be eligible. The Chief Minister announced in a press conference after the cabinet meeting that all the benefits will come into effect on November 1.

One instalment of DA arrears will be paid to government employees, teachers and pensioners along with their November salaries. The third and fourth instalments of the salary revision arrears will be paid this year. The arrears will be merged with PF next April. Those who do not have PF will be given that amount in cash.

Five lakh youth to get a scholarship of Rs. 1000 per month to get a job. This scholarship, called Connect-to-Work, is for those who are studying in skill courses or preparing for competitive exams after Plus Two, ITI, Diploma, or Degree studies. A grant of Rs. 1000 per month will be provided to 19,470 ADSs, which are a composite of Kudumbashree neighbourhood groups. Rs. 23.4 crore has been allocated annually for this.

Honorarium increased by Rs. 1000

• The honorarium of ASHA workers has been increased by Rs. 1000. Arrears will also be paid. The expense is Rs. 250 crore. 26125 ASHAs will benefit.
• Honorarium has been increased by Rs. 1000 for 66,240 Anganwadi workers and helpers. Welfare fund pension arrears will be paid. The government will provide Rs. 24.6 crore as a share.
• Honorarium has also been increased by Rs. 1000 for literacy motivators. Arrears will be paid. Additional expense is Rs. 5.5 crore per year
• Honorarium has been increased by Rs. 1100 for 13,327 school cooks. Additional expense is Rs. 16 crore.
• Monthly salary of pre-primary teachers and aayas has been increased by Rs. 1000. Additional expenditure of 5.72 crores
• Guest lecturers will receive a maximum increase of ₹2,000 per month. Expenditure of 2.07 crores
• The rubber support price in Kerala has been increased from ₹180 to ₹200 per kilogram under the Incentive Scheme. The support price of paddy has been increased from Rs. 28.20 to Rs. 30.
• A loan will be taken to settle the pension arrears of 992 crores in the Construction Workers Welfare Fund Board.

Scholarships

• Additional assistance of Rs. 220.25 crore for scholarships for Scheduled Caste students. Rs. 18.2 crore as state share
• Post-matric scholarships for Scheduled Tribe students: Rs. 40.35 crore
• Scholarships for fishermen students: Rs. 25 crore

Welfare Pension: 13000 crore

Women's Pension: 3800 crore

Youth Scholarship: 600 crore

Anganwadi Honorarium: 934 crore

Various Scholarships: 303.8 crore (annual expenditure)

''Although there are financial constraints, the main subject is commitment to the people.''

-Pinarayi Vijayan,

Chief Minister