Single women to get pension in Himachal

SHIMLA - To help middle-aged single women, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to start a monthly pension for them, an official said here Sunday.

“The government has decided to give a monthly pension of Rs.330 to all single women who are above the age of 45. This would help them lead a life of dignity and self respect,” a government spokesperson said.

He said a notification in this regard would be issued by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department this week.

“The pension will cover women whose annual income is less than Rs.9,000 in case they are living alone and Rs.15,000 if living with a family. It will benefit more than 150,000 women in the state,” he said.

However, Subhash Mendhapurkar, director of Sutra, an NGO that has been spearheading the cause of the single women since 2005, said Rs.330 was a mere pittance and would in no way help sustain them.

“We welcome the step but we demand Rs.1,000 per month,” he said.