AGARTALA, July 28 (TIWN): Announcing a new pension scheme the state cabinet on Tuesday has decided to hike the pension for Anganwadi workers and the helpers, said Chief Minister Manik Sarkar after the cabinet meeting.

The Government has decided to provide monthly pension of Rs. 500 for Anganwadi Workers and Rs. 350 for Anganwadi Helpers after their retirement at the age of 60 years.

The cabinet has also brought an option for the anganwadi workers and the helpers to take either monthly pension or onetime financial benefit at the time of retirement, said Sarkar.

He said that the scheme will be applicable to those who have put in continuous service of 10 years. The scheme will benefit all the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers when they retire at the age of 60.

At present there are 9911 Anganwadi centres in the State with one Anganwadi Worker and one Helper in each centre.