The government has directed the Social Welfare Department (SWD) to compile a list of widows below 40 years of age, who are not covered under any ongoing welfare scheme.
The decision was taken after the government decided to clearall the cases pending under different welfare schemes in the department.
At present the department provides monthly cash assistanceto widows under two schemes: National Social Assistance Program (NSAP) andIntegrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS).
Under ISSS launched in 1995, a monthly assistance of Rs1,000 is provided to beneficiaries including the old aged people, divorcees,destitute, widows, persons with disability and people living below povertyline.
Over 9,000 widows are provided monthly pension under thisscheme.
Similarly, under NSAP Indira Gandhi National Widow PensionScheme (IGNWP) the department provides pension to over 4,000 widows.
However, despite providing cash assistance to over 10,000widows under different schemes, the department still has a long list of pendingcases.
Under the ISSS, the department has yet to provide financialassistance in over 20,000 cases, and under IGNWP it has yet to clear over athousand cases in the waiting category.
To cater to all the widows who are not taking the benefitsof the welfare schemes meant for them, the government has asked the departmentto come up with a complete list of widows so that no one is left out.
Director SWD, Ruqsana Ghani, said, “The district officersare being told to compile the list and we will be getting a complete list verysoon.”
The J&K Government has drawn up a plan to clear allpending cases under different social welfare schemes meant for old aged personsin the state.
Last week, the State Administrative Council approvedAadhaar-linked payment mode for disbursement of pension to eligible seniorcitizens, widows and physically challenged persons under various government sponsoredschemes.
All Deputy Commissioners have been directed to re-scrutinisethe pending cases in their respective districts so that no eligible beneficiaryis left out.