PORVORIM: Minister for Social Welfare, Subhash Phal Desai, on Friday stated that the government will consider increasing the financial benefit under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS).
Speaking during the discussion on demands for grants for the Departments of Archives, Social Welfare, River Navigation, Archaeology, and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the current financial year, Phal Desai said, “The amount given under DSSS was last increased in 2012, and now it is time to see what can be done about it. The demand is to increase it to Rs 5,000 per month. I will speak to the Chief Minister. The current outlay on the scheme is Rs 28-29 crore per month, and if it is increased, the outlay will be around Rs 60 crore per month.”
He added that the Mukhyamantri Dev Darshan scheme, which was discontinued due to the model code of conduct coming into force for the Lok Sabha elections, will be relaunched within the next two months. He noted that, so far, only one trip of devotees had been organised.
The Minister further mentioned that 75,757 people had benefited from the Covid-19 relief scheme, and another 25,995 applications were pending with the Social Welfare Department due to issues like lack of documents or signatures.
Phal Desai said the government is planning to grant some concessions to parents of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) regarding office duty hours.
He also stated that the River Navigation Department had a fleet of 33 ferry boats, out of which 30 were operational, while two had been condemned. A tender for new ferry boats has been issued, and they are expected to be operational by March next year.
Phal Desai highlighted that solar electric boats purchased for Rs 3.97 crore will be given to a person who will operate them and provide the highest revenue per month. “We are expecting to get Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per month from its operation, which will help us in recovering the cost,” he said.
However, Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao claimed that it was a scam, as Rs four crore had been wasted, and he demanded an inquiry.
