The Punjabi government introduced the Widow Pension Scheme to benefit widows in the state. This programme aims to offer Punjabi widows who qualify for monthly cash help.
In India, numerous women are financially dependent on their spouses. In case of mishaps with him, they struggle to meet their end needs. To address such problems and benefit widows, the central and state governments introduced several policies, including the Punjab Widow Pension Scheme.
For financial support and economic upliftment for widows in Punjab, the government of the cited state launched the Financial Assistance Scheme to Widows and Destitute Women Below the Age of 58, which falls under the Department of Social Security and Women and Child Development.
This scheme was introduced to provide beneficiaries with monthly monetary assistance. Currently, in this scheme, the government provides support of Rs. 1,500 per month to those who meet the eligibility criteria. The scheme provides economic independence to widows, who get a monthly grant to fulfil their daily needs. The present article reveals an in-depth discussion of the Punjab Widow Pension Scheme.
Constitution Backup
As per the Indian Constitutional Amendment Act 1993, the widow’s pension is an issue for the state government. This is decentralised and implemented by the respective state governments through their social welfare departments.
Further, the state government’s social welfare department delegated this function to local bodies and government institutions. In the current scenario, all the local bodies are responsible for getting the application, granting, processing, and distributing the pension. The role of local authorities is vital for the success and full implementation of the widow pension scheme.
Goal and Purpose of the Scheme
This scheme plays a significant role in helping change and improve widowed women’s quality of life in the Punjab state. The state government has introduced the scheme with some objectives such as
- To raise the living conditions of widows in the state of Punjab
- To mitigate the financial burden and offer smooth survival to the widow in the state.
- To offer economic and financial security for the women in the state.
- To support widows and destitute women to run their homes
- To provide widows and destitute women with a respectful life.
In a nutshell, the objective of the Punjab Widow Pension Scheme is to provide financial support to widows so that their survival becomes easier.
Who is Eligible for the Widow Pension Scheme?
It should be noted that financial assistance provided under the Punjab Widow Pension Scheme is not available for all widows of the state. In this aspect, only widows who fulfil the following eligibility criteria are qualified to enjoy the benefits of the scheme:
- The widow should be a permanent resident of Punjab
- The age of widows and destitute women should not be more than 58 years, and that of unmarried women more than 30 years
- The widow should fulfil the criteria of being below the poverty line
- The widows are not getting financial assistance from any other widow scheme run by the central as well as state governments
- The total yearly income of a widow should not be more than ₹60,000. At the time of computation of the total income of the widow, business income, rental income, and any interest income should be included.
Benefits of the Widow Pension Scheme
This scheme helps widowed women not lose their self-respect and provides them with support to nourish their families after the death of their husbands. Apart from this, there are several benefits of the Punjab Widow Pension Scheme, such as:
- Monthly financial assistance provided by the Punjab government as a pension to widows to support their survival.
- The pension is directly transferred to their bank account without any human intervention, which is an excellent step towards the direct benefit transfer objective of the government.
- The beneficiaries will be funded with ₹1,500 every month by the Punjab government to sustain themselves and their families.
Documentation
The eligible widows should complete the following documentation to take advantage of the widow pension scheme: The list of documents required to enter the widow pension scheme is very short and easy to obtain.
- For Age Proof: Any documents from (i) a birth certificate (ii) an Aadhar card (iii) a voter identification card (iv) a matriculation certificate
- Death Certificate of Husband and Self-Declaration
- 2 passport-size photos of the widow along with bank account details, a cancelled check, or a copy of the bank book
- Certificate of Income
- Below Poverty Line Rationalisation Card.
Registration Procedure
It is required for eligible widows to get registered under the scheme to benefit from the Punjab Widow Pension Scheme. The following analysis provides an overview of the registration process in online and offline modes:
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Offline Mode Procedure
Eligible applicants must fill out an application and provide the exact basic details. These forms are available at the District Social Security Officer, Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), Sewa Kendra, Department Website, SDM Office, Anganwadi Center, Project Officer (CDPO), Sewa Kendra, Department Website, SDM Office, Anganwadi Center, Panchayat, and B.D.P.O. The applicant must fill out their data, current and permanent address, contact details, and family member details. Application forms are elementary to understand and are also available in vernacular languages. After successfully filing the application, a verification process is initiated by the CDPO within one month from the date of receiving the application. If the concerned office is satisfied with the application form and verification, the pension will be sanctioned by the district social security officer.
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Online Mode Registration Procedure
The following steps must be followed to fill out the online form for the scheme:
- Step 1: The applicant should approach the official site of the Punjab government.
- Step 2: Click on the “Form” option on the website’s home page.
- Step 3: Now select the Form for Financial Assistance Scheme to Widows and Destitute Women under the Department of Social Security and Women and Child Development.
- Step 4: After downloading the form, eligible applicants must fill out an application form and provide basic details such as personal data, current and permanent addresses, contact details, and family member details (age and date of birth).
- Step 5: Now Check carefully, upload the form on the website and the required document, and press the submit button at the end. Now your application is forwarded to the concerned authority in your district for verification and approval.
By complying with the above steps, applicants get registration under this scheme.
Grievances Redressal
A district social security officer is empowered to address applicants’ grievances. A dedicated helpline number is also available for addressing problems and giving solutions (0172 2608746). Applicants can directly mail their issue to dsswcd@punjab.gov.in and jointdirector_ss@yahoo.com.
Conclusion
Thus, it can be said that the Punjab Widow Pension Scheme was introduced by the government to ensure the welfare of widowed women. This scheme is intended to offer financial assistance every month to the eligible widow of a state. The primary objectives of the Punjab Widow Pension Scheme are to strengthen the destitute women of Punjab by offering better livelihood, reducing the burden and pressure on widows, creating easy survival, and offering social and financial security for such women in the site. This scheme is considered one of the most decisive steps taken by the state government of Punjab to support eligible widows in the state. Additionally, the requirement for registration under this scheme is also straightforward, by which eligible women can easily apply for the same by online or offline medium and avail of benefits. To get more information and support, connect with Vakilsearch.
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