Skip to main content

Gujarat government officials' indifference leads to denial of pension, other benefits to helpless widows

Widows from Dasada during discussion
Counterview Desk
A recent spot study, carried out by Gujarat’s premier NGO Navsarjan Trust, has found that majority of widows who were unable to get any job following their husbands’ death, may not be receiving any pension, despite Gujarat government directions on this. Based a focus group discussion (FGD) with tens of widows belonging to 16 villages of Patdi taluka, Surendranagar district, the study says that many of them have not received pension though they applied for it in accordance with a government resolution of 2012. It also found that a few women didn’t apply for pension because, though eligible, they were unaware of any scheme.
Claiming to be caring for widows, Gujarat’s woman and child department officially states (click HERE) that it is “sensitive towards women of 18-40 years, who have lost their husbands and initiates policy for their empowerment and economic living condition. For their economical living, under Manav Garima Yojna, Rs 3000 margin money is given to help them stand on their feet.” As for the widows in the age group 18-60 years, it adds, they are “provided monetary help” of Rs 500 per month plus Rs.80 per child (up to two children) “if they applied”.
Based on observations at the FGD, which was carried out first among seven widows of four villages of Patdi taluka – Panva, Odu, Patdi and Kherva – followed by a detailed interaction with widows of 12 other villages, the NGO represented to the local administration to “act urgently”, saying, “The issues of failure of government to comply by the pension scheme came to light after personal interaction with the widows.” The other 12 villages, whose widows participated in second round of FGD, were Jhejhara, Banavra, Upariyala, Rustamgadh, Kharaghoda (New), Mota Ubhada, Visavadi, Bajana, Dasada, Gavana, Savada and Pipli.
“In all, we met 27 widows. We found that though they were entitled to widow pension and other help, and their names were registered in government records, the officials has done next to nothing to move in that direction”, Kirit Rathod, a senior activist with the NGO who organized the FGD, said. He added, “Many of them have even approached local government officials but to no avail. One of the reasons we found was that widows fail to provide necessary documents. This should not, however, deter the officialdom to act proactively.”
The representation, handed over the Patdi mamlatdar, said, “Most of the women we talked to did not have any viable alternative means of livelihood. Their children are below 18 years of age. They live  either in one-room house or in a hut. Majority of women are still in possession of above poverty line (APL) card, as a result of which they cannot get cheaper ration from the public distribution system. A few of them are incapacitated and cannot earn even if provided with jobs. One of the widows from Savada village was totally handicapped.”
Kirit Rathod talking with widows
Asking the mamlatdar to ensure that these widows should start getting benefits under different government schemes, including a below poverty line (BPL) card to ensure cheaper rate foodgrains from the ration shops or face agitation, the representation said. “The widows must be provided with help under the government resolution of 2012 of the state woman and child department, which wants the jobless and helpless widows to be declared as BPL. The Government of India too has given similar directions from time to time, starting with 2001”.
Putting up a list of six demands, the representation said, “Government officials should proactively survey widows and find out whether they get any benefit. If they are not included in any scheme, they should be provided at the earliest. All of them should be paid pension with retrospective effect. They should be included in the BPL list. Efforts should simultaneously be made to rehabilitate the widows in every possible way by helping them get alternative employment and making them economically independent.”

Comments

Stely said…
OJAS Police Constable Bharti 2018 more details: ojas police bharti 2018

TRENDING

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra  Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

Workers' groups condemn Gujarat Ordinance increasing working hours, warn of statewide agitation

By A Representative   At a consultation organised today by the Asangathit Shramik Hit Rakshak Manch at Circuit House in Ahmedabad, leaders of major trade unions and labour rights organisations strongly opposed the Gujarat government’s recent ordinance amending the Factories Act and the draft rules notified under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code, 2020. Around 50 representatives from central trade unions, independent unions, and labour welfare organisations participated in the meeting.

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan  Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

Deaths in Chhattisgarh are not just numbers – they mark a deeper democratic crisis

By Sunil Kumar  For a while, I had withdrawn into a quieter life, seeking solace in nature. But the rising tide of state-sponsored violence and recurring conflict across India has compelled deeper reflection. The recent incidents of killings in central India—particularly in Chhattisgarh—are not isolated acts. They point to a larger and ongoing crisis that concerns the health of democracy and the treatment of marginalised communities.

Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria: An inspiring life from Colombia’s Amazonian valley

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  In the village of Héctor Ramírez, known as Agua Bonita, in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, a vision of peace and renewal is unfolding. In the pre-2016 period, this would have been nearly impossible for outsiders to visit, as it was the epicenter of violent resistance against state oppression. However, after the Peace Accord was signed between the Colombian government and former revolutionaries—marking the end of a 70-year insurgency that claimed over 400,000 lives until 2025, including civilians, rebel fighters, and security personnel—things began to change. Visiting Agua Bonita during the Global Land Forum in Bogotá revealed a village of hope and resilience. Former FARC revolutionaries have settled here and transformed the village into a center of peace and aspiration.

'Bengali Muslim migrant workers face crackdown in Gurgaon': Academic raises alarm

By A Representative   Political analyst and retired Delhi University professor Shamsul Islam has raised serious concerns over the ongoing targeting and detention of Muslim migrant workers from West Bengal in Gurgaon, Haryana. In a public statement, Islam described the situation as "brutal repression" and accused law enforcement agencies of detaining migrants arbitrarily under the pretext of verifying their citizenship.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative   At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Gender violence defies stringent laws: The need for robust social capital

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra*  The tragic death of Miss Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore, who reportedly self-immolated due to harassment, shocked the conscience of Odisha. Even before the public could process this horrifying event, another harrowing case emerged—a 15-year-old girl from Balanga, Puri, was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants. These incidents are not isolated; they highlight a disturbing pattern of rising gender-based violence across the state and the country.

A matter of deep concern: The silent struggles of India's visually impaired women

By N.S. Venkataraman  Visual impairment is one of the most severe forms of physical disability that afflicts humanity, and its impact is even more acute when it affects women. The burden becomes overwhelming when visually impaired women also belong to economically weaker sections of society, with little or no financial or institutional support. Their struggle for dignity, survival, and identity is often invisible—hidden in plain sight across cities and rural corners alike. And yet, these women form a large, neglected segment of society not just in India, but around the world. In India, governmental assistance to visually impaired persons exists but remains minimal. While policies are framed with good intent, they often fall short in implementation. More importantly, no real distinction is made between the unique challenges faced by visually impaired men and women. This gender-blind approach to disability support overlooks the compounded social vulnerabilities that women face due to...