Panchayat Scheme: Double Wages for Widowed Women

Major amendments have been made to the pension schemes run by central and state governments for widowed women. These changes have made the scheme significantly more beneficial, providing double the previous financial support.

Earlier, the monthly assistance was ₹1,000 or less, but now it has been increased to up to ₹2,000. This decision is proving to be a boon for helpless women facing financial hardship after the loss of their husbands.

The primary objective of this reform is to empower widowed women financially and offer them a chance to live a dignified life in society.

Eligibility Criteria

To avail the benefits of this welfare scheme, women must meet certain conditions:

• Age must be between 18 and 60 years.
• The applicant must be a widow and should not have remarried.
• The family income should not exceed ₹2 lakh annually (varies by state).
• Required documents include Aadhar card, bank account, and proof of permanent residence.
• If the woman is already availing another government pension, she will not be eligible.

These rules ensure that only the genuinely needy receive assistance.

Simple Application Process

The government has made the application process extremely simple and user-friendly. Interested women can apply online through their state’s official social welfare department website.

Required documents include Aadhar card, bank passbook, husband’s death certificate, residence proof, and income certificate. Once uploaded correctly, the application can be submitted online.

In many states, applications are also accepted via Common Service Centers (CSCs). The status of the application can be tracked online, and approval is generally given within 30–45 days.