Ahmedabad, Jun 27 (PTI) The Gujarat Government today announced a 25 per cent hike in pension given to erstwhile rulers of Dang district and their aides, a move seen as an attempt to woo tribals in the election-bound State. The pension for former rulers ranged between Rs 56,000 and 70,000 per year, while their group leaders (naiks) and assistants (babubandhs) get different amounts. The Government had been spending Rs 20 lakh annually on their pension, official sources said. The hike, which comes into effect from April 1, will benefit five former rulers, nine naiks and 653 babubandhs. "The Government has decided to raise the pension by 25 per cent with effect from April 1, 2012. The annual political pension is being given to the erstwhile rulers, naiks and babubandhs of tribal-dominated Dang district since 1954 as per heirship," Government spokesperson and Health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas said. "The pension is given to them as part of their fundamental rights and privileges and in lieu of their ownership of forest land and estates," he explained. The Government felicitates these former rulers and hands over pension amount to them during Dang Darbar, a traditional festival organised every year in the district in South Gujarat, an official statement said. The move to hike pension of these erstwhile kings is being seen as an attempt to woo adivasis ahead of Assembly election slated by year-end since these rulers still enjoy considerable clout among the locals. Dang, with its district headquarters at Ahwa, borders Maharashtra, and is famous for its natural beauty. PTI VKB PD RSY HKS
