Pensioner widows to have dual benefit from budget

ISLAMABAD, Jun 6 (APP): Upward revision in family pension as well as overall increase in pension will have dual effect on the pensionary benefits for thousands widows in the country. According to the budgetary proposals announced by the federal government, all widows availing the facility of family pension will have 25% increase in family pension and 15% to 20% increase in overall increase category.

"First, the widows pensioners will be given an increase of 15% to 20% and then their limit of family pension will be enhanced to 75% from existing 50%," Secretary Finance Salman Siddique told APP after the post budget press conference.

Under the budget proposals, the pensioners who retired on or after December 1, 2001 will be allowed 15% increase in pension and those who retired on or before November 30, 2001 will be allowed 20% pension rise.

Meanwhile, the government has also proposed to enhance the rate of family pension from existing 50% to 75%. This the way widows are to hopefully get over 40% increase in their pensions.

Earlier, Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Statistics, Dr Hafeez Shaikh informed the media persons that pensioners who retired in BS-1 to BS-15 will be allowed medical allowance at 25% of pension drawn while those retired in BS 16 to BS 22 will be allowed medical allowance at 20% of pension drawn.

He said the government has not only proposed to raise minimum monthly pension from Rs 2000 to Rs 3000 but has also proposed to raise other allowances like night duty allowance, conveyance charges for late sitting staff, daily allowances and special pay for employees in BS-1 to BS-16.