Jaipur, Sept. 3 -- Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday urged the Centre to increase the social security pension to Rs.3,000 a month and proposed that the Union and state governments bear the financial burden equally. Gehlot said the increase was necessary to help elderly people, widows and persons with disabilities cope with inflation and lead a dignified life. He also demanded that the number of beneficiaries covered by social security pension schemes be increased. "The Centre should work with state governments and immediately raise the pension to Rs.3,000 per month, with both contributing 50% each," Gehlot said in a statement. The Congress leader alleged that the Narendra Modi government had not increased the Centre's pension contribution since coming to power in 2014, even though living costs had risen considerably. Parliamentary standing committees had also repeatedly recommended an increase, describing the existing assistance as inadequate, he added. Referring to Rajasthan, Gehlot said the Congress government had introduced a monthly social security pension of Rs.500 in 2013. He alleged that the subsequent BJP government did not increase the amount during its five-year tenure. After returning to power in 2018, the Congress government increased the pension to Rs.750 and subsequently to Rs.1,000 in 2023, he said. It also introduced a legal provision for a 15% annual increase.htc...