To provide protection to the differently-abled, “women in distress” and vulnerable groups, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in her Delhi budget has proposed to extend the date for enrolment under the ‘Dilli Annshree Yojana’ to July 31 to ensure that the reach of the programme is enhanced.
“However, the widows, not covered by baseline survey are to be enrolled under the scheme at any time. This would be in addition to the pension that they are otherwise getting. Also a ‘Dilli Swablamban Yojana’, a co-contributory pension scheme for unorganised sector is proposed to be launched with an annual contribution of Rs. 1,000 per person along with an equal contribution of the Central Government and we intend to make it Aadhaar enabled,’’ she said in her budget speech.
For the first time in a Delhi budget, financial support has been proposed for transgenders and now Rs. 1,000 per month would be given to those living in Delhi for at least three years. The beneficiaries would also remain eligible to get benefits under the ‘Dilli Annshree Yojana’ from April this year.
Also on transfer to the ‘pension scheme of senior citizens’ on attaining the age of 65, the differently-abled persons and women in distress will get a pension of Rs.1,500 per month. A residential school for the Schedule Castes, Schedule Tribes and Other Backward Classes students has also been proposed in the budget .
The social service sector has received the highest priority in terms of budgetary Plan allocation. Of the Plan budget of Rs.16,000 crore, nearly 65 per cent has been allocated to the social sector which has been given Rs.10,359 crore.