Assam minister Pijush Hazarika launches widow support scheme in Biswanath
Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika formally launched the ‘Chief Minister’s Covid-19 Widows Support Scheme’ at a function held at Biswanath College of Agriculture on Saturday.
At least 32 widows, who have lost their husbands because of Covid-19, were handed over cheques of Rs 2.5 lakh each as a onetime financial assistance.
Addressing the gathering, the minister said that though the government cannot compensate for losing a loved one, yet the onetime financial assistance would help to mitigate financial hardships of the widows to an extent and help them lead a life of dignity.
“By launching this scheme, Assam has once again shown that it is the leading state in the country to launch unique welfare schemes for benefit of its people. We have been doing so in past and would keep on doing so in the future. Our chief minister has the vision to make Assam among top 5 states of the country and we are moving well in that direction,” said Hazarika.
Those women whose husbands have died after testing positive for Covid-19 are entitled to avail benefits under this scheme.
However, the widow must be from low-income group and the annual income must be below Rs 5 lakh.
The ‘Chief Minister’s Widow Support Scheme’ comes close on the heels of the launch of ‘Sishu Seva Scheme’ where financial assistance is provided to children who have lost their parents because of Covid-19.
The function was attended by Tezpur’s MP Pallab Lochan Das, Biswanath MLA Promod Borthakur among others.
(Edited by Christopher Gatphoh)
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