Widow pension beneficiaries in Gujarat are pressing for a substantial increase in monthly financial assistance, saying the existing pension of Rs 1,250 is no longer sufficient to meet basic living expenses amid soaring inflation.
The demand gained momentum after a group of widowed women from Chhota Udepur submitted a memorandum to local MP Jashubhai Rathwa, urging the government to raise the pension amount to Rs 3,000-4,000 per month.
The beneficiaries said the pension has remained unchanged for years despite a sharp rise in the prices of essential commodities and household expenses. They argued that the current amount is inadequate to cover the cost of food, cooking gas, groceries, healthcare and children’s education, leaving many widows struggling to make ends meet.
In their representation, the women urged the government to revise the pension in line with inflation, pointing out that salaries, pensions and dearness allowances for government employees and public representatives are revised periodically, while social welfare assistance has seen little change.
Responding to the delegation, MP Jashubhai Rathwa assured them that he would raise the issue with the Central government. However, the beneficiaries said they hope the assurance translates into concrete action.
The women also stressed that the issue extends beyond Chhota Udepur, with widows across Gujarat facing similar financial hardships. They said the burden is particularly severe in urban areas, where housing costs and day-to-day expenses are significantly higher.
Calling for an early revision of the pension amount, the beneficiaries said enhanced financial assistance would provide much-needed relief to thousands of widowed women struggling with the rising cost of living.