Date:02/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/02/stories/2008110260440700.htm

National

New home for the mentally retarded soon

Special Correspondent

Monthly pension for the physically handicapped and mentally retarded increased

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said on Saturday that a new home for the mentally retarded was being constructed in Rohtak, 70 km from Delhi, at a cost of Rs.2.18 crore and it would be completed soon.

Mr. Hooda was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the building of Ankur institute for mentally retarded children in Jind.

He noted that his regime had enhanced the monthly pension for the physically handicapped and mentally retarded from Rs.300 to 600 and the retainer-ship allowance for blind cane weavers from Rs.2,000 to 3,510.

The retirement age for handicapped employees with 70 per cent or more disability has also been increased from 58 years to 60 years and their monthly conveyance allowance from Rs.250 to 600, he added.

He also laid the foundation stone for a new project for four-laning of a road and a bridge over Hansi branch near Jayanti Devi Temple in Jind. He also inaugurated the Jind-Asandh Road by-pass.