Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa government has announced special financial assistance of ₹4,000 per month for widows whose youngest child is below 21 years of age.
The new support package combines ₹1,500 under the Griha Aadhar scheme and ₹2,500 as Widow Pension.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the initiative aims to provide critical relief to widowed mothers raising children.
“This is an important step to support women who have lost their spouses and are caring for young children. We want to ensure they get sustained, meaningful financial assistance,” he said.
Sawant added that 2,049 widows are already benefiting from the scheme.
“We are committed to expanding coverage so that no eligible woman is left out,” he said.
Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai explained that the standalone Griha Aadhar benefit will be discontinued for these beneficiaries, but there will be no need to cancel it manually. “The Griha Aadhar benefit will automatically stop on the day the widow support scheme is sanctioned,” he said, echoing the Chief Minister’s assurance of a hassle-free process.
CM Sawant encouraged eligible widows to apply directly to the Social Welfare Department for the ₹2,500 monthly pension.
“If they have at least one child under 21, they will receive an additional ₹1,500, making the total ₹4,000 every month,” he said, adding that the child’s birth certificate would serve as proof of age.
Highlighting the broader intent, the Chief Minister said: “Previously, the Griha Aadhar scheme focused mainly on providing assistance to housewives from economically weaker sections. With this merger, we are ensuring that widows with young children get consolidated, targeted, and adequate support.”
Officials said the move will help reduce duplication of benefits, streamline aid delivery, and empower widowed mothers to better provide for their children’s education, health, and well-being.
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