Gujarat has raised Ganga Swarupa Yojna pension amount, income eligibility norms

In Gujarat Government’s yet another initiative for showing sensitivity and transparency; Chief Minister Vijay Rupani here launched the Central Government’s National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) Portal for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of monthly pension directly to 3.70-lakh widows, elderly and disabled women in 33 districts in the state.

The amount was simultaneously transferred directly to the post accounts of the target women group with a click. The programme is being implemented in the state by Gujarat Government’s Women & Child Development Department.

While the State Government’s earlier ‘Vidhva Sahay Yojna’ was renamed ‘Ganga Swarupa Yojna’ to lend respectability to the beneficiaries, the State Government had raised the monthly pension amount from Rs.1,000 to Rs.1,250 since April 2019. It is ensured the amount is deposited in the first week of every month.

The State Government had also more than doubled their annual income eligibility criteria from Rs.47,000 to Rs.1,20,000 for women residing in rural women, from Rs.68,000 to Rs.1,50,000 in urban areas. This resulted in increase in number of beneficiaries from 1.64- lakh to 3.70-lakh.

The State Government had also relaxed the financial assistance scheme by continuing the scheme for women even after their son attain age of 21 years. Those present during the launch included Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Women & Child Welfare Minister Ganpatsinh Vasava, Minister of State Vibhawariben Dave, Secretary and Commissioner Manisha Chandra and other officers of the department.