PANAJI
Legislators from either side of the aisle were unanimous in demanding that the government hike the quantum of doles paid to beneficiaries under its various social welfare schemes.
Member after member who spoke on the demands for grants pertaining to the departments of social welfare, archives, archeology and inland waterways, said that in the context of the current cost of living the Rs 2,000-2,500 which is given under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) and other schemes for senior citizens, widows and other disadvantaged sections is a pittance.
If members from the Opposition including Venzy Viegas, Vijai Sardesai, Viresh Borkar and Cruz Silva made the demand for the hike in monthly cash benefits, from the treasury benches like Rajesh Phaldesai, Sankalp Amonkar, Kedar Naik, Jit Arolkar and Independents Antonio Vas, Aleixo Reginald Lourenco and Dr Chandrakant Shetye also lent their voices in support of the demand.
Most of the MLAs demanded that the monthly dole be raised to at least Rs 5,000-6,000.
Viegas urged Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai to work out the financial requirements to factor in the hike and make provision in the budget so that the government can implement the hike anytime during the next financial year.
Meanwhile, several MLAs raised the issue of delay in disbursing the doles to the beneficiaries, sometimes for up to two-three successive months. The MLAs said the beneficiaries, especially senior citizens are dependent on these doles to defray their regular expenditure on medicines and such other personal needs and are left helpless when the doles are not credited into their bank accounts on time.
Another issue related to the doles under the DSSS flagged by MLAs is the ongoing survey being conducted by the department to clean up the roster of ineligible beneficiaries.
Curchorem MLA, Nilesh Cabral raised objections to the department expelling beneficiaries from the scheme for owning a taxi permit or an excise bar licence, arguing that ownership of a taxi or a bar (gaddi) in rural areas is in no way proof of the person being wealthy.
