Lok Sabha Question No. 1120 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-22
Subject: Pension to Destitute and Widow Women
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Chunni Lal Sahu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1120

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2022

## PENSION TO DESTITUTE AND WIDOW WOMEN

1120.  SHRI CHUNNI LAL SAHU

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

- (a) whether an initiative has been taken to eliminate the compulsion to be enlisted in the BPL list of census survey of 2002 and 2011 to provide pension to many underage destitute, poor widow and deserted women in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for not providing pension to the underage destitute, poor widow and deserted women in Chhattisgarh;
- (c) If not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  the  said  women  are  facing  many  problems  in  earning  livelihood  on account of being deprived of the various schemes of the Government too; and
- (e) whether the Government has taken/is considering to take appropriate steps in this regard to identify and include them in welfare schemes and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) There are a number of schemes being implemented by various Ministries of the Government of India for providing assistance to widows, deserted and abandoned women.  This  Ministry  implements  a  number  of  schemes  for  widow,  deserted  and abandoned women in the country which are centrally sponsored schemes. Details of the schemes are as under:

- i. Swadhar  Greh  Scheme: The  Ministry  of  Women  and  Child  Development implements Swadhar Greh Scheme which envisions a supportive institutional framework for women victims of difficult circumstances so that they could lead their  life  with  dignity  and  conviction.  It  envisages  shelter,  food,  clothing  and health  as  well  as  economic  and  social  security  for  such  women.  It  also envisions that the special needs of these women are properly taken care of and under  no  circumstances  they  should  be  left  unattended  or  abandoned  which could lead to their exploitation and desolation.
- ii. Ujjawala: It  is  a  comprehensive  scheme  implemented  by  the  Ministry  of Women  and  Child Development which includes five components, viz., prevention, rescue, rehabilitation,  re-integration  and  repatriation,  if  needed.  In the protective and rehabilitative homes under the scheme, basic amenities such food, clothing and other items of personal use, medical care, legal aid etc. are provided to the victims.
- iii. Home for Widows: A  Home for widows has been set up in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh with a capacity of 1,000 inmates to provide widows a safe and secure place of stay, health services, nutritious food, legal and counselling services.

The Schemes of other Ministries include:

- iv. Atal Pension Yojana (APY) : This scheme is implemented with an objective to create a universal social security system for all Indians, especially the poor, the under privileged and workers in the unorganized sector. The scheme is open to all citizens of India between 18-40 years of age having a saving bank account in a bank or post office.
- v. National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a social security programme for senior citizens, widows, disabled persons and bereaved families on  death  of  primary  bread  winners  belonging  to  Below  Poverty  Line  (BPL) households in rural as well as urban areas. Under NSAP, monthly pension at the rate of Rs.300/- per person per month to widows and disable persons in the age group of 40 to 79 years and 18 to 79 years, respectively, and Rs.200/- per person  per  month  to  old  age  persons  in  the  age  group  of  60  to  79  years belonging  to BPL  households  is  being paid.  The  amount  of  pension  is increased to Rs. 500/- per person per month in respect of these beneficiaries on  reaching  the  age  of  80  years.  A  onetime  assistance  of  Rs.  20,000/-is provided to a bereaved BPL family on the death of the primary breadwinner of the family.An amount of Rs. 27,767.02 lakh has been released to Chhattisgarh State during FY 2021-22 for implementing NSAP Schemes.
- vi. Prime  Minister  Awaas  Yojana  (PMAY-G): This  scheme  aims  to  provide 'Housing for All'  through  provision  of  pucca  house  with  basic  amenities  to all houseless households and households living in kutcha and dilapidated house in rural  areas  by  2022.  This  will  also  benefit  the  neglected,  abandoned  and destitute widows.
- vii. Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY-U): This is a Scheme with a vision for facilitating Housing for All by 2022 started from 17.06.2015. Under this scheme, central assistance is provided to States/UTs in addressing the housing requirement of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) including slum dwellers in the  urban  areas.  However,  under  Credit  linked  Subsidy  Scheme  (CLSS) component of the Mission, LIG, MIG I & MIG II segments are also covered.

*****