Bhubaneswar, (IANS) : The Odisha government on Wednesday increased the financial assistance or pension given to the war veterans, who fought in the Second World War, and for their widows from Rs 1,000 to Rs 6,000 per month.

“Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved a proposal to increase the pension amount from Rs 1,000 a month to Rs 6,000 a month,” said a release from Chief Minister’s Office on Wednesday.

“About 483 persons will be benefited by the government’s decision. The state will now bear Rs 29 lakh per annum in this regard,” said sources in the finance department.