BAINA: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has announced that the monthly financial assistance under the Griha Adhar scheme will be increased soon, with the enhanced amount expected to be credited directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts around Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Goa.
Speaking at the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan at Ravindra Bhavan, Baina, Sawant said nearly two lakh women currently receive Griha Adhar assistance, which is credited on the 10th of every month. He said the revised assistance would be announced shortly.
The Chief Minister also provided an update on the Goa Ujwala Yojana, stating that nearly two lakh applications had been received. Around 50,000 beneficiaries had already received financial assistance, while scrutiny of another one lakh applications was underway, with payments expected to be credited by Saturday, he said.
Sawant said around 40,000 men had also applied under the scheme and appealed to them to encourage eligible women in their families to apply, as the scheme primarily targets women. In households without an eligible woman, the benefit would be extended to the man at a later stage, he said.
He added that women who were not eligible for Griha Adhar would still be eligible to benefit from the Goa Ujwala scheme. According to Sawant, delays in some cases were due to application verification, streamlining of records and linking of new bank accounts.
The Chief Minister also announced a 15-day entrepreneurship training programme for women at Ravindra Bhavan, Baina, to be organised by the Economic Development Corporation. The programme is expected to begin within around eight days and will focus on business skills, market linkages and avenues for selling products.
Sawant said participants would also be informed about loan facilities carrying interest rates of around 4%.
The programme was organised as part of a month-long initiative marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday and aimed at creating awareness about government welfare schemes.
Highlighting women-centric initiatives, Sawant referred to schemes including Ujjwala, Har Ghar Jal, Har Ghar Nal, Griha Adhar and Mamata Yojana, along with Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and sanitation initiatives.
Sawant Hits Out at Congress
Taking aim at 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 highlighted development projects across the state, including initiatives from Pernem to Canacona and Dabolim to Valpoi. Sawant said Rs 180 crore had been sanctioned for development in Vasco and stated that steps were being taken towards making Mormugao pollution-free.
Calling Vasco Goa’s first city, Sawant said its airport, railway and seaport connectivity gave it significant advantages, while asserting that the government was planning development not only for current requirements but also for the city’s future needs.
He said the BJP government had around 190 schemes covering different sections of society and maintained that its focus was on ensuring that the benefits reached people directly.
