The Hindu; Ballabgarh, Haryana; October 24, 2005

At a 10-day camp in Ballabgarh for disabled people, Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced a substantial hike in unemployment allowance for blind people.

The event was organised by the District Red Cross Society, Faridabad, Lions Club International and Bhagwan Mahavira Sahayta Samiti, Jaipur.

Mr. Hooda said that in case of matriculate and diploma holders, the unemployment allowance would be raised from 400 to 1,000 rupees a month. In case of graduate and matriculate pass diploma holders, it has been hiked from 500 to 1,500 rupees, and for postgraduate and graduate diploma holders the figure has risen from 600 to 2,000 rupees a month.

The pension for blind, deaf and speech impaired, and mentally challenged people has also been raised from 300 rupees to 600 rupees.