Sudin wants consensus of House
PANJIM, JULY 21
Expressing concern over the increasing drain on the exchequer due to the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS), Social Welfare Minister Sudin Dhavlikar said if all the MLAs agree in the assembly then the scheme could be restricted only for sons of the soil.
Replying to the general discussion on budget, Dhavlikar said currently the number of DSSS beneficiaries has crossed 1.05 lakh. The moot question, he said that arises is: to what extent should we allow it to go? This is pertinent because the expenditure on the scheme is around Rs 12 crores per annum.
If the House agrees, the scheme can be made applicable only for sons-of-the-soil, the minister said adding that there should be consensus on this issue.
However, he said, those of non-Goan origin who are born in Goa, or the women who become widows in Goa, etc, can be included in the scheme.
ST: He refuted the statement of Poingunim MLA Ramesh Tawadkar on schemes for Scheduled Tribes saying that a 7-member Tripathi committee was constituted on 20th May 2009 and the Plan is being implemented.
The scheme was started by Parrikar government around eight years ago. The Congress government later increased the monthly pension from Rs 500 to Rs 1000 which has put tremendous pressure on the finances of the State.
Besides, the bogus registration has also aggravated the situation. Last month, as reported by this paper, irregularities to the extent of 15 % have been found over a period of time. Referring to bogus beneficiaries, he said it would be at least 10,000.
