Cabinet gives nod to implementation of key budget announcements

Jammu, Mar 27: The cabinet on Thursday gave its go-ahead to implementation of key budget announcements made by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in his budget speech on March 07.

Quoting sources, the news agency KNO reported that the cabinet meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

“The meeting commenced at 3: 00 PM and lasted till 4:30 PM,” they said, adding that the cabinet gave its nod to modalities worked-out by different departments for implementation of announcements of free power and free ration to AAY beneficiaries and enhancement of pension and marriage assistance scheme.

The key budget announcement include 200 units of free electricity for all Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households under the PM’s Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and 10 kilograms of free ration per person for the families falling in this category.

In his budget speech, the CM also announced increasing pensions for over 10 lakh elderly, widows, divorcees, and specially-abled individuals.

As per CM’s budget speech announcement, monthly pensions will now be Rs 1,250 for those below 60 years, Rs 1,500 for those aged 60-80, and Rs 2,000 for individuals above 80 years.

The Marriage Assistance Scheme for AAY category girls has also seen an increase, with financial aid enhancing to Rs 75,000 from Rs 50,000.