Pension Scheme for Destitute Women: Answer to the question raised in Lok Sabha

While replying to a question related to some kind of pension scheme for helpless women in the Lok Sabha from the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani said that in all the states and union territories to provide assistance to widows and abandoned women, many types Plans are being run. Such as Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme, Widow Home, Swadhar Grih Yojana etc.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government has any scheme to provide assistance and employment to young widows and deserted women in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Chhattisgarh;

(c) whether the BPL census of 2002 and 2012 as a means to identify and target beneficiaries for pension scheme has been removed/relaxed;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the reason therefor?

(a) & (b) A number of schemes are implemented by the Government of India across all States/UTs, including Chhattisgarh, for providing assistance to widows and deserted women. The major schemes are as under:

Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme: Under this scheme, widow pension is provided to the widows belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. This is a sub-scheme under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) of Ministry of Rural Development. Under the scheme, Central assistance @ Rs. 300/- per month is provided to widows in the age-group of 40-79 years and the pension amount is enhanced to Rs 500/- per month on attaining 80 years.

Swadhar Greh Scheme: The Ministry of Women and Child Development implements Swadhar Greh Scheme which provides a supportive institutional framework for women victims of trafficking so that they could lead their life with dignity and conviction. Shelter, food, clothing, medical care, legal aid, and vocational training are provided to such women under the scheme.

Home for Widows: A Home for Widows has been set up in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh with a capacity of 1,000 inmates to provide widows a safe and secure place of stay, health services, nutritious food, legal and counselling services.

(c) to (e) The beneficiaries under Schemes of National Social Assistance Programme are calculated on the basis of Poverty Ratio estimates 2004-05.

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Source: Loksabha

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