PANAJI
As promised, the Goa government has increased the monthly financial assistance under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) by Rs 500 across all existing beneficiary categories. It has also extended the scheme to transgender persons and motorcycle pilots, bringing two new groups under its social security net.
The amendments, notified earlier this month, will provide transgender beneficiaries with Rs 2,500 per month, while motorcycle pilots aged between 50 and 60 years will receive Rs 2,000 and those aged 60 years and above Rs 2,500 per month. The enhanced benefit and new categories take effect from the date of notification.
Under the revised rates, senior citizens, single women, adult persons with disabilities and immune-deficient persons will now receive Rs 2,500 per month, up from Rs 2,000. Financial assistance for children with disabilities below 90 percent has been raised from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000, while those with 90 percent and above disability will receive Rs 4,000 instead of Rs 3,500.
The government has also revised assistance for widows. Those without children will receive Rs 3,000 per month, against Rs 2,500 earlier. Widows whose youngest child is below 21 years will get Rs 4,500, up from Rs 4,000. Widows whose youngest child is above 21 years, as well as widows above 60 years, will receive Rs 3,000 instead of Rs 2,500.
The inclusion of transgender persons comes days after the government granted them Other Backward Classes status. Under the amended DSSS provisions, transgender persons will qualify for Rs 2,500 monthly assistance. Applicants must produce a transgender person certificate or identity card issued by the competent authority and establish at least 10 years of residence in Goa.
The government has also laid down specific eligibility conditions for motorcycle pilots such as a person who depends solely on driving a motorcycle taxi for livelihood, holds a valid driving licence and badge issued by the Transport Department, belongs to a registered motorcycle taxi association and has a motorcycle stand allotted by the competent authority.
Applicants must produce a motorcycle pilot certificate or identity card issued by the competent authority and a valid RTO badge issued at least five years before the notification.
The amended provision has further clarified that motorcycle pilots can claim the benefit irrespective of whether their wives receive assistance under the Griha Aadhar Scheme. This assurance too was made by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant recently.
