Jaya hikes ulema pension, Haj Committee subsidy

CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday doubled the State government’s grant for Haj Committee (from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh per annum) and hiked the monthly pension for ulemas from Rs 750 to Rs 1,000. She announced that the number of ulemas who will get pension will be increased from 2,400 to 2,600. The measure will cost an additional expenditure of Rs 3.12 crore to the government.Jayalalithaa also announced a special assistance of Rs 3 crore to the Wakf Board to help it pay pending pension benefits to its retired employees. She has hiked the Haj Committee grant considering the increasing number of Haj pilgrims every year and the administrative expenses of the committee, an official release said.