Lok Sabha Question No. 4168 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-13
Subject: Relief for Widows
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4168

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2019

## RELIEF FOR WIDOWS

## 4168.   SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government proposes to enact a suitable law to provide relief and support  to  safeguard  approximately  4.5  crore  widows  living  in  distress  in  the country:
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) to (c) Currently, no such matter is under consideration in the Ministry. There are a number  of  Schemes  being  implemented  by  various  Ministries  of  the  Government  of India  through  States  Governments/UT  Administrations  which  address  the  common needs of widows also. While some schemes cover a broader segment of population of which  widows  constitute  a  part,  there  are  widow  specific  schemes  also.  The  major schemes of Government of India in this regard are as under:-
- I. Indira  Gandhi  National  Widow  Pension  Scheme  (IGNWPS):The Ministry  of Rural  Development  is  implementing  Indira  Gandhi  National  Widow  Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) under which Pension Scheme for Widows as well as Pension Scheme  for  the  Elderly  below  poverty  line  are  operated.  A  monthly  central assistance of Rs. 300 is provided to the BPL widows of age-group 40-79 years and Rs. 500 is provided to the widows of age of 80 or higher.
- II. Swadhar  Greh  Scheme:The  Ministry  of  Women  and  Child  Development implements  SwadharGreh  Scheme  which  envisions  a  supportive  institutional framework for women victims of difficult  circumstances  so  that  they  could  lead their life with dignity and conviction.
- III. Home for Widows:A Home for Widows has been setup in Vrindavan, UP with a capacity  of  1000  inmates  to  provide  widows  a  safe  and  secure  place  of  stay, health services, nutritious food, legal and counseling services.
- IV. National  Family  Benefit  Scheme  (NFBS):The Ministry of Rural Development implements National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) under which monetary grant of Rs. 20,000 is given as lump sum assistance to the bereaved household in the event of death of the bread-winner.
- V. Annapurna  Scheme:Under  Annapurna  Scheme  of  the  Ministry of Rural Development, 10 kg of food grain is given to those eligible  aged  persons  who have  remained  uncovered  under  the  Indira  Gandhi  National  Old  Age  Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS).
- VI. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana:The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana under National Rural Livelihood Mission of the Ministry of Rural Development aims at creating efficient and effective institutional platforms for the rural poor.
- VII. Intergrated Programme for Older Persons:The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment implements Intergrated Programme for Older Persons to improve the quality of life of senior citizens.
- VIII. Assistance  for  vocational  training  of  widows  of  ex-servicemen:The Ministry of Defence provides financial assistance for vocational training of widows of ex-servicemen, treatment of serious diseases of non-pensioner exservicemen/widows and daughter's marriage/widows' remarriage.
- IX. The  Maintenance  and  Welfare  of  Parents  and  Senior  Citizens  (MWPSC) Act:by  the  Ministry  of  Social  Justice  and  Empowerment  has  been  enacted  to ensure  need  based  maintenance  for  parents  and  senior  citizens  and  their welfare. The Act provides inter-alia for Maintenance of parents/ senior citizens by children/ relatives made obligatory and justiciable through Tribunals, revocation of  transfer  of  property  by  senior  citizens  in  case  of  neglect  by  relatives,  penal provision for abandonment of senior citizens, establishment of Old Age Homes for  indigent  Senior  Citizens,  adequate  medical  facilities  and  security  for  Senior Citizens.

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