The state cabinet on Friday amended the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) to increase monthly financial assistance towidowsfrom the existing Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500.
As many as 35,145 widows presently avail of benefits under the scheme that provides monetaryaidto the most vulnerable sections of Society.
In his budget speech for the year 2021-22, chief minister Pramod Sawant had given an assurance on the floor of the House that financial assistance to widows would be enhanced by Rs 500 per month.
While no separate category exists for widows under the scheme, it has been included as a sub-category under the single Women head.
As per sub-para 12 of 3 of the scheme, a single woman is a female who is above the age of 18 years and includes widows, divorcees, deserted or judicially separated women, and unmarried women above the age of 50 years.