Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced a pension of Rs 5,000 per month each to Kashmir Singh and wife Parmajit Kaur in recognition of his "outstanding services" towards the nation.

Singh, who was convicted on the charges of espionage and was sentenced to death in Pakistan, had been released recently after he was pardoned by President Pervez Musharraf following 35 years of imprisonment.

Calling him a "national hero", Badal also promised to grant government job to one eligible dependent of Kashmir Singh, who has a physically-challenged son.

To fulfill his promise, Badal suggested that Punjab government would make an exception for Kashmir Singh to exempt him from the government rules in this regard.

The Chief Minister also announced to bear the entire expenditure for the construction of a house for Kashmir Singh and his family over a plot donated by his media advisor in Mahilpur.

The chief minister and his wife also honoured the couple with a shawl and a garland on the occasion and assured full support and cooperation to them on behalf of the Punjab government.
Source : PTI