PANAJI
Women and Child Development Minister Vishwajit Rane has responded to Mayem MLA Premendra Shet’s questions about the Griha Aadhar and Laadli Laxmi schemes. The MLA had raised concerns regarding the status and processing of applications for these programs.
Regarding the Griha Aadhar Scheme, Rane stated that there are no pending applications for sanction from the Mayem constituency. However, 124 applications are still waiting for an Eligibility Verification Survey. For applications that are incomplete or marked to a committee, the processing will depend on the submission of necessary documents and committee decisions.
For the Laadli Laxmi Scheme, Rane outlined the processing details: Applications from eligible married individuals will be processed as soon as possible, pending approval from the State Treasury and Directorate of Accounts in Panaji; Incomplete applications will be processed once the required documents are provided; Applications marked for committee review will be processed based on the committee’s decision; Applications from unmarried individuals are on hold until a valid civil marriage registration certificate is submitted.
Rane also addressed concerns about the six-month application deadline for the Laadli Laxmi Scheme, acknowledging that the amendment allows a six-month extension for justified delays. This extension applies to marriages registered after the amendment, while those registered before will have a one-year application period.
In response to complaints about the GEL Department’s customer service, Rane noted that the call center handles around 1,000 calls a month with two operators. Despite efforts to manage all inquiries, high call volumes and multiple inquiries per caller may cause delays.
Contract labourer concerns in Mormugao Council
Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane has responded to Vasco MLA Daji Salkar’s questions regarding the regularization of contract labourers working for over five years in the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC). Rane reported that there are currently 70 contract labourers employed on a contract or daily wage basis for more than five years.
Rane acknowledged that while the government is considering the regularization of these workers, the process is complicated by legal and procedural issues.
The primary challenge is related to a Supreme Court ruling from April 10, 2006, in the case of Secretary, State of Karnataka vs Uma Devi. According to this ruling, contract employees can only be regularized on vacant sanctioned posts as a one-time measure. Councils need to fill these posts based on available vacancies. If a council can justify the need for additional posts, they may submit a proposal for new positions. Rane also mentioned that some councils have hired contract workers without the necessary government approvals.
When asked about any specific legal barriers or lack of provisions for regularizing these workers, Rane reiterated that the challenges remain consistent with those previously mentioned.
