Dehradun, Sep 30 (IANS): The central government wants to provide increased social security to workers through the new pension scheme, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi Tuesday said.

At a function to launch the new guaranteed minimum pension scheme here, Gandhi said: "The pension is a small token of gratitude which the nation pays to workers who spend a life time in building the nation through their hard work".

She also explained the benefits of integrating Jan Dhan Yojana and employees scheme which will now enable the pension to go directly into the accounts of the workers.

The government recently announced the launch of a guaranteed minimum pension of Rs. 1,000 per month under employees pension scheme, 1995.

Under the new scheme, the pension has been increased from Rs. 650 to Rs.1,000. Also, the maximum wage limit for eligibility has been increased from Rs.6,500 to Rs. 15,000 per month.

Gandhi also requested the Uttarakhand government to consider banning the use of plastics in the state.