(a) whether the Government has proposed any scheme to improve the livelihood of
widows in rural areas by providing employment opportunities/pensions, etc.;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the funds allocated for the purpose; and
(d) the other steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI PRADEEP JAIN `ADITYA`)
(a) & (b): The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) is
implemented in rural and urban areas to provide pension to widows, belonging to Below
Poverty Line households, which are in the age group of 40-59 years. The Ministry also
implements through State Governments the major schemes namely Mahatma Gandhi National
Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as wage employment and Swarnjayanti
Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY)/National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)/Aajeevika for
self-employment for poor households, including widows living in rural areas of the country.
(c) & (d): The Budget provision under MGNREGA and SGSY/NRLM is Rs. 33000
crore and Rs.3515 crore respectively during the current financial (i.e.2012-13). The funds
under IGNWPS are released as Additional Central Assistance (ACA) by the Ministry of
Finance to the State Governments.