Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday rolled out a scheme to provide one-time monetary help of Rs 2.5 lakh every to all widows, whose husbands died due to COVID-19, if their annual household earnings is lower than Rs 5 lakh.
Under the brand new ‘Chief Minister’s COVID-19 Widows Support Scheme’, Sarma handed over cheques to 176 eligible beneficiaries from eight districts.
At least 873 beneficiaries have been recognized as of now below this scheme, and all of the cheques will likely be given to them by state ministers in districts by the following week, Sarma mentioned.
“This is not a happy programme for us. When we invite beneficiaries for some government schemes, we always take pride. But for today’s event, we are neither proud nor happy,” he mentioned.
In Assam, 6,159 coronavirus-positive individuals have died, together with 1,347 due to comorbidities, he mentioned.
“Though we have identified 873 widows, we expect that 2,000-2,500 will be there. The enrolment process is going on in districts,” the chief minister mentioned.
We’re giving one-time monetary help of Rs 2.5 lakh every to all recognized widows. Handed over 176 cheques immediately; remaining to be given by Guardian Ministers. We actually hope this assist helps the affected households.
Working on budgetary provisions for different victims.
2/2 pic.twitter.com/p6GbTgfyXG
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 11, 2021
The Assam authorities has already launched a scheme to provide Rs 3,500 per thirty days to youngsters, who misplaced their dad and mom due to COVID-19.
“I have requested the finance minister to provide some funds to give something to other COVID-19 affected families. Assam has done something before other states have taken such initiatives,” Sarma mentioned.
The State Budget for 2021-22 will likely be introduced on July 16 by Finance Minister Ajanta Neog.
The Budget Session of the meeting will start on Monday.
The beneficiaries of ‘Orunodoi’ and ‘Widow Pension’ programmes are additionally eligible for the one-time monetary help below the ‘Chief Minister’s COVID-19 Widows Support Scheme’.
As per the scheme, the beneficiary’s husband must be a COVID-19 constructive affected person on the time of dying, and it must be licensed by the State-Level COVID Death Audit Board.
“A beneficiary must belong to a low-income family having an annual income less than Rs 5 lakh,” the scheme particulars talked about.
It, nonetheless, acknowledged that widows of presidency servants is not going to be coated below this scheme as they’ll get the household pension as per ordinary norms.
