PANJIM: Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai on Friday said that the government will identify and weed out persons who are not eligible for the Dayanand Social Security (DSS) scheme so that more beneficiaries could avail the doles.
Phal Dessai said that beneficiaries whose annual income is over Rs 24,000 are not eligible for the DSS scheme, and added that the Social Welfare Department would conduct a survey of all 1.38 lakh odd beneficiaries and remove unscrupulous and bogus beneficiaries so that more deserving persons could benefit from the scheme.
Phal Dessai said the Department of Social Welfare will release doles to senior citizens, single women, widows, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and other beneficiaries, who are granted financial assistance under the Dayanand Social Security (DSS) scheme soon after speaking to Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant.
Stating that the financial burden on the State exchequer during the COVID-19 pandemic was a major reason behind the delay, Phal Dessai said he is aware about the doles being delayed for the last three months and that the department is trying its best to release them to senior citizens, widows, and others. Rs 2000 is paid to each beneficiary per month.
“All the field assistants are directed to identify the senior citizens, widows, PwDs and other persons eligible to receive the doles but have still not applied for the scheme by conducting a house-to-house survey,” he said.
