Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jul 2: In a major welfare reform, the Goa government on Tuesday announced that widows with at least one child below 21 years of age will now be eligible to receive both the Widow Pension and the Griha Aadhar allowance — bringing their total monthly support to Rs 4,000.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, addressing a press briefing alongside Social Welfare minister Subhash Phal Dessai, said the step aims to simplify access to benefits and maximise social support. “Earlier, these two benefits required separate applications through different departments. This reform underlines our commitment to Antyodaya, Gramodaya, and Sarvodaya — ensuring no one is left behind,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that once the child turns 21, the amount will revert to Rs 2,500.
Social Welfare minister Phal Dessai noted that around 2,000 existing widow pensioners will benefit immediately from this integration, with more expected to qualify soon. “Widows simply need to submit their child’s birth certificate. They no longer need to separately apply or cancel Griha Aadhar. All backend work will be handled by the department,” he said, emphasising time-saving and ease of access.
The Chief Minister also announced the re-launch of the CM Scholarship Portal — a unified online platform that brings together scholarship schemes from the departments of Social Welfare, Tribal Welfare, Education, and Higher Education. The portal allows students to apply for pre-matric to higher education scholarships, covering SC, ST, OBC, and EWS categories.
“Students can apply online and expect fund transfers within 15 days to a month,” Sawant stated. Under the EWS category, reimbursements of up to Rs 25,000 are available.
Highlighting that nearly 50,000 students in Goa are eligible but many miss out due to lack of awareness, Sawant urged schools and colleges to assist in the verification process. “Students studying outside Goa and those from villages should make the most of this opportunity. This is our response to the financial struggles students face,” he said, recalling recent appeals from law students needing fee assistance.
During the previous rollout of the portal, over 13,000 students applied within just 15 days, he informed.
The CM also revealed that scholarships under the Labour Welfare Fund will be integrated into the portal within the next 45 days, as the government works to further streamline disbursal processes.