The government has approved extension of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna to Bidi workers in the country. It was decided in a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi today. Giving details after the meeting, the Union Labour Minister Mr. Malikarjun Kharge said, under this scheme, every family of a bidi worker will be given an assistance of 30,000 rupees per annum. Smart cards will also be issued to the 50 lakh identified bidi workers across the country for health benefits under the scheme. He said, centre is also writing a letter to all the Chief Ministers to identify bidi workers and bring them into the scheme so that they can get the benefits of ESI Hospital facilities and notified despensaries and Hospitals. There are an estimated 55 lakhs bidi workers in the country. The government is spending about 311 crore rupees on the welfare of bidi worker in the country.In another decision the Cabinet has approved lowering of age limit from 65-60 years for the purpose of disbursing pensions under Indira Gandhi Old Age pension scheme. Briefing the reporters the information and Broadcasting Minister Mrs. Ambika Soni said that the rate of pension persons above 80 years have been raised from 200 to 500 rupees per month. She said that an additional expenditure of 2770 crore rupees will be incurred in this respect.