Assam CM launches scheme to provide Rs 2.5 lakh assistance to Covid-19 widows

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Published: July 12,2021 07:45 AM
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A claimant will have to prove that her husband had died after testing Covid-19 positive . A widow must belong to the low-income group with an annual income of up to Rs 5 lakh to claim benefits.

July 12, 2021: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma on Sunday launched the 'Chief Minister’s Covid-19 Widows Support Scheme' to provide Rs 2.5 lakh to each widow who lost their husband due to the Covid-19 pandemic.



Inaugurating the scheme at a program held at the Srimanta Sankardev International Auditorium in Guwahati, the Assam CM handed over cheques to 176 beneficiaries belonging from eight districts of Kamrup (Metro), Nalbari, Darrang, Baksa, Morigaon, Nagaon, Goalpara and Kamrup.





“We're giving one-time financial assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh each to all identified widows. Handed over 176 cheques today; remaining to be given by Guardian Ministers. We truly hope this support helps the affected families.



Working on budgetary provisions for other victims”, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted.







The Chief Minister further said, “Covid has left many of us devastated, especially those who lost an earning member during the pandemic. To support 883 widows who lost their husbands to #COVID19, we've launched Chief Minister's Covid 19 Widow Support Scheme today.”



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The Assam Chief Minister also said that the scheme has been launched to help the beneficiaries to lead a life of dignity in spite of pecuniary hardship that fate might lead them to in view of the death of the family's head.



As per the criteria, a claimant will have to prove that her husband had died after testing positive for Covid-19. A widow must belong to the low-income group with an annual income of up to Rs 5 lakh to claim benefits.



To date, 883 widowed women have become eligible for benefits under the scheme. The Assam CM gave the remaining cheques to the guardian ministers for their distribution to the beneficiaries across the state.



Earlier, under the 'Sishu Seva Scheme', a few children, who lost both their parents in the pandemic, were handed over cheques of financial assistance. An amount to the tune of Rs 7,81,200 would be parked in the bank as a fixed deposit in the name of each beneficiary under the scheme.



Monthly financial assistance of Rs 3500, which will be realized from the fixed deposit, will be given to the beneficiaries till they attain 24 years of age. On turning 24, the principal amount parked as the fixed deposit against each beneficiary would be credited to their bank accounts.