Team Goemkarponn
BAINA: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the monthly assistance under the Griha Adhar scheme would be increased soon, with the enhanced amount expected to be implemented around Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Goa and credited directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
Sawant made the announcement while addressing the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ at Ravindra Bhavan, Baina, organised to thank the government for implementing the Goa Ujwala Yojana. A large number of women attended the programme.
The Chief Minister said nearly two lakh women were currently receiving Griha Adhar assistance, with the amount credited on the 10th of every month. He said the government would shortly announce the revised assistance and ensure that the enhanced benefit reached beneficiaries through direct bank transfers.
Sawant also gave an update on the Goa Ujwala Yojana, saying nearly two lakh applications had been received so far. Around 50,000 beneficiaries had already received financial assistance, while scrutiny of another one lakh applications was in progress and the money would be credited by Saturday, he said.
According to Sawant, around 40,000 men had submitted applications under the scheme. He appealed to such applicants to encourage eligible women in their households to apply, pointing out that the scheme was primarily aimed at women. In households where there was no eligible woman, the benefit would be extended to the man at a later stage, he said.
Sawant said women who were not eligible for Griha Adhar for various reasons would not be excluded from the Goa Ujwala scheme. He said the government was streamlining applications, verifying details and linking new bank accounts, which had resulted in some delay in processing applications.
Describing the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan as part of a month-long programme to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, Sawant said the objective was to take government schemes closer to beneficiaries and create greater awareness about welfare initiatives.
The Chief Minister placed particular emphasis on women’s welfare, referring to schemes including Ujjwala, Har Ghar Jal, Har Ghar Nal, Griha Adhar and Mamata Yojana. He also cited Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and the construction of toilets as initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and security of women.
Sawant announced another initiative for women, saying the Economic Development Corporation would soon organise a 15-day training programme at Ravindra Bhavan, Baina, for women interested in starting their own businesses. The training, expected to begin within around eight days, would cover skills, market linkages and avenues for selling products.
Participants would also be given information about loan facilities carrying interest rates of around four per cent, he said.
Taking on the Congress over its proposed Goa Rakhon Yatra, Sawant questioned the need for the campaign and accused the Congress of having “destroyed Goa”, while claiming that the BJP government had “saved Goa”. He also criticised those facing allegations involving crores of rupees in scams and said they should not lecture the government on development.
Sawant said the BJP government had undertaken development works from Pernem to Canacona and Dabolim to Valpoi. He claimed that steps had also been taken towards making Mormugao pollution-free and said Rs 180 crore had been sanctioned for development in Vasco.
Calling Vasco Goa’s first city, Sawant said it had the advantage of an airport, railway connectivity and a seaport but had not received adequate development in the past. He said the government was now planning not only to meet present requirements but also to prepare the city for future needs.
Sawant said the government had around 190 schemes covering different sections of society and maintained that its focus was on taking their benefits directly to the people.
