PANAJI
The Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) has claimed that social security benefits under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) for 1.4 lakh people in the State have not been released for the last four months.
In a petition to Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, DRAG President Avelino de Sa has demanded the immediate release of the monetary benefits from the scheme.
“We have met the State Commissioner for Persons with Disability and the Minister for Social Welfare on the matter last week to no avail. Looking at the gravity of the situation we are appealing to you to direct the government to release the pending payments under the DSSS immediately…” stated de Sa.
The DRAG also informed the governor that the Government in a Suo Motu PIL in the High Court of Bombay at Goa had given an undertaking to the court that payments under the DSSS would be paid on a regular basis.
"As they have failed to implement the same, they are in contempt of court", the letter mentions.
Under the DSS scheme, persons with disability, senior citizens and widows who are living below the poverty line receive benefits of Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500 per month depending on their annual income.
