Pramila, 69 year old unmarried women from a village in Quepem taluka, beneficiary of Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) for past nine years, had to survive on monthly dole of Rs 1000 for nearly five months in 2015, instead of Rs 2000 monthly allowance under the scheme.
From July to November, the beneficiary got Rs 1000 per month in her bank account as payment towards DSSS scheme. On inquiry with the bank manager, it was informed that the Social Welfare department itself has deposited Rs 1000 in the bank account and it was not just in her case but many other beneficiaries had received the same amount.
“For five months I got Rs 1000 only in my bank account. In January first week I got Rs 4000 that was Rs 2000 for the month of December and another Rs 2000 as a part payment balance amount of those five months,” Pramiila said adding being a unmarried, non-working woman, it was difficult for her to meet expenses for her daily needs. The Government failed to compensate her with the balance Rs 3000, the due amount till date.
“When Manohar Parrikar was Chief Minister, such things never happened. With Laxmikant Parsekar taking over, there is always delay in monthly payment,” she claimed.
Her neighbours, few of whom are beneficiaries under DSSS and Griha Aadhar scheme, believe that government’s financial position is not strong enough to implement the social welfare schemes.
While on one side the needy beneficiaries are facing hardship in getting their monthly doles, there are few who despite having a government job, are enjoying benefit of Griha Aadhar scheme, with monthly Rs 1200 benefit.
A government teacher by profession, a 40 year old lady from Canacona is getting benefit under Griha Aadhar, since past one and half years. Interestingly, her husband is also a government official at junior scale. (The names cannot be disclosed)
“She is working on contract basis as a teacher and also availing the benefit under Griha Aadhar. She says she will continue to enjoy benefit till action is taken,” one of her relatives said.
In the past, Government had acted against the officials availing benefits under DSSS, directing them to refund the entire amount. A similar exercise needs to be initiated in case of Griha Aadhar scheme, as there are several cases were government servants, or the wife of government official or of DSSS beneficiaries availing the benefit.
