PANAJI
The State government will soon begin accepting fresh applications for the amended Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) for widows with children Under 21 years of age as a notification is expected on Friday.
The Department of Social Welfare, which is the implementing government agency for the scheme, has identified about 4,000 vacant slots after an ongoing survey revealed these many current beneficiaries are either untraceable or deceased. The survey has so far covered beneficiaries aged 80 years and above.
The scheme, with a maximum capacity of 1.40 lakh beneficiaries, will thus accommodate new applicants while placing others on a waiting list.
“We currently have 1.40 lakh beneficiaries under the scheme but our ongoing survey revealed that around 4,000 are either not traceable or have passed away. This allows us to admit new applicants under the amended scheme while others will be included as more vacancies arise,” Social Welfare Director Ajit Panchwadkar told The Goan.
He confirmed that once the notification is published, applicants can submit their requests to the department.
The scheme’s revised guidelines stipulate that the annual family income of applicants must not exceed Rs 1.50 lakh. Existing beneficiaries, however, will continue to be eligible under the previous income cap of Rs 24,000 per annum.
The government, on December 19, announced that applicants will be placed on a first-come, first-served basis if the maximum capacity is reached.
Under the revised structure, widows without children will receive Rs 2,500 per month while those with a child under 21 years will get Rs 4,000. Widows whose youngest child is over 21 years and those above 60 years of age will also receive Rs 2,500 monthly.
“The widow eligible for the financial assistance under the DSS scheme shall not avail other benefits of Griha Aadhar scheme rolled out by the Directorate of Women and Child Development, Government of Goa,” reads one of the clauses by the government.
Meanwhile, the department expects to save Rs 15-20 crore annually through the removal of ineligible beneficiaries with additional recoveries underway.
