Chandigarh, Sep 23 (IANS): The Haryana government on Wednesday announced an increase of pension being given to ex-servicemen and widows of soldiers who participated in World War I and II.

The pension has been increased by Rs.1,500, said state Finance Minister Abhimanyu.

"The finance department has given approval to provide Rs.4,500 per month as pension to ex-servicemen and widows of soldiers who participated in the First and Second World Wars. Earlier, this pension was Rs.3,000 per month," he said, adding that this decision would cause additional annual burden of Rs.8.57 crore on the state exchequer.

He said that earlier the pension was doubled from Rs.1,500 to Rs.3,000 per month in May 2014.

He said that the state government has also made it clear that even after the death of ex-servicemen who participated in the World Wars, it would continue to provide financial help of Rs.51,000 for the marriages of their granddaughters.

Soldiers from Haryana had been part of the British Indian Army and had fought in the two World Wars.