Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Nov 13: The Goa government has increased the monthly financial assistance under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) by Rs 500 across all existing beneficiary categories and extended the scheme to transgender persons and motorcycle pilots.

The amendments, notified earlier this month, provide transgender beneficiaries with Rs 2,500 per month. Motorcycle pilots aged between 50 and 60 years will receive Rs 2,000, while those aged 60 and above will be eligible for Rs 2,500 per month. The enhanced assistance and inclusion of the new categories will come into effect from the date of notification.

Under the revised rates, senior citizens, single women, adult persons with disabilities and immune-deficient persons will receive Rs 2,500 per month, compared to Rs 2,000 earlier.

The monthly assistance for children with disabilities below 90 per cent has been increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000. Those with 90 per cent or more disability will receive Rs 4,000, against the earlier amount of Rs 3,500.

The government has also revised the assistance provided to widows. Those without children will now receive Rs 3,000 per month, up from Rs 2,500. Widows whose youngest child is below 21 years will receive Rs 4,500, compared to Rs 4,000 earlier. Widows whose youngest child is above 21 years, as well as widows aged above 60 years, will receive Rs 3,000 instead of Rs 2,500.

The inclusion of transgender persons comes days after the government granted them Other Backward Classes status. To qualify for the monthly assistance of Rs 2,500, applicants must produce a transgender person certificate or identity card issued by the competent authority and establish at least 10 years of residence in Goa.

The government has also specified eligibility conditions for motorcycle pilots. Applicants must depend solely on driving a motorcycle taxi for their livelihood, hold a valid driving licence and badge issued by the Transport Department, belong to a registered motorcycle taxi association and have a motorcycle stand allotted by the competent authority.

They must also produce a motorcycle pilot certificate or identity card issued by the competent authority and a valid RTO badge issued at least five years before the notification.

The amended provisions further clarify that motorcycle pilots will be eligible for the benefit irrespective of whether their wives receive financial assistance under the Griha Aadhar Scheme. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had recently assured beneficiaries of this provision.