PANAJI
At a time when the government is dealing with widespread misuse of financial welfare schemes prompting action, a rare gesture has emerged from a senior citizen.
The 80-year-old Sattari local has taken an unusual and commendable step by voluntarily opting out of the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS), citing her family's improved financial stability.
Speaking to The Goan her kin explained the two reasons behind her decision. "Our family is now financially well-settled and she believes that others who genuinely need this assistance should have the opportunity to receive it,” he said, requesting the family’s anonymity.
The woman had been receiving financial support under the DSSS for about 6-7 years on transfer following the death of her husband, who was specially-abled and a beneficiary of the scheme.
“She received the dole when it was needed but now it’s time for others to benefit,” the kin added. The family made a formal request to the Department of Social Welfare to discontinue her financial support.
Director of the Department of Social Welfare Ajit Panchwadkar confirmed receiving the letter and lauded the gesture. “We had appealed to DSSS beneficiaries to come forward voluntarily if they are now financially stable or want to give up the scheme even otherwise. This is the first such case since we began our survey in November 2024. It’s heartening to see this kind of civic responsibility,” Panchwadkar said when contacted by The Goan.
The survey that began with an aim to eliminate ineligible beneficiaries from the welfare rolls has so far seen the deletion of 1,949 beneficiaries for various reasons including running tourism-related, excise and transport businesses, and cases where both spouses were receiving benefits despite exceeding the prescribed income criteria.
"In cases where a spouse is a government employee or the family income surpasses the scheme’s threshold, we deleted them from the list too. The government has linked various related departments for this survey… The department has saved Rs 1.30 crore within a month and the department will save around Rs 30 crore”, the director added.
The government had been recovering with interest from those who illegally availed the benefit.
Besides, 4,700 beneficiaries were found to be either deceased or untraceable during the ongoing survey.
In a recent revelation, the department opened up 4,000 new slots for fresh applicants under the revised scheme for widows with children under 21 years of age. Under this structure, widows without children will receive Rs 2,500 per month while those with a child under 21 years will get Rs 4,000. Widows whose youngest child is over 21 years and those above 60 years of age will also receive Rs 2,500 monthly.
It also stipulates that the annual family income of applicants must not exceed Rs 1.50 lakh. Existing beneficiaries, however, will continue to be eligible under the previous income cap of Rs 24,000 per annum.
