Chandigarh, July 7 – In a major decision aimed at widening the scope of “Ladli Social Secuirty Allowance Scheme” and give impetus to efforts being made to further improve sex-ratio, the Haryana Government has revised the ceiling of gross annual income of the family from all sources under this ambitious scheme from Rs.44,000 to Rs. two lakh per annum. Also, the criteria for financial assistance being given under different social security schemes has been revised. While stating this here today, Haryana Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, Mrs. Geeta Bhukkal said that this decision would prove a step forward in improving the child sex ratio in the state. Under the scheme, any biological single parent or parents who were domicile of Haryana or working for Government of Haryana and had no son biological or adopted, but only daughter’s were eligible to get benefit of Rs.500 per month. She said that the eligible family would be entitled to receive benefit under the scheme for a period of 15 years from the date either of two parents completes 45 years of age. The benefit would be paid to the mother, if surviving. In case the mother is not surviving, the benefit would be paid to the father. Mrs. Bhukkal said that similarly income ceiling under Haryana Pension to Widows and Destitute Women Scheme had been revised from Rs.10.000 to Rs.30,000 per annum so as to increase the number of beneficiaries under the scheme.
She said that women of 18 years and above age were eligible for grant of pension under the scheme provided she was a domicile of Haryana and had been residing in the State for the last one year at the time of submission of application. The beneficiary covered under the scheme should either be a widow or a destitute without husband, parents and son or destitute due to desertion or physical or mental incapacity of husband in case of married woman or parents in case of other women. A woman employed by any government or by any local or statutory body or any organization substantially financed by any government or local or statutory body or she is drawing pension or family pension would not be eligible under the scheme.
The Minister said that under Haryana Dependent Children (Grant of Financial Assistence) to Destitute Children, income ceiling had been raised to Rs.30,000 from Rs.10,000 per annum. A child under 21 years of age, who is a domicile of Haryana, residing in the state and has been deprived of parental support or care by reason of death or continued absence from home of his father for the last two years would be covered. Also, whose father or mother has been sentenced to imprisonment for a period of not less than one year or physical or mental incapacity of a parent would be eligible for financial assistance under the scheme. In case of guardian or any parent of the child is employed by any government or by any local statutory body or any organisation substantially financed by any government or local or statutory body or who is drawing pension or family pension would not be eligible under the scheme, she added.