(Recovered and Reloaded)
WELFARE FOCUS OF TS
VANAM JWALA NARASIMHA RAO
METROINDIA NEWS PAPER (30-05-2016)
A welfare state is a concept of government in which the state plays a key
role in the protection and promotion of the social and economic well-being of
its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution, and public responsibility for those unable to avail
themselves of the minimal provisions for a good life. Sir William Beveridge, a liberal economist of
Great Britain who is considered as the author of a welfare state, in his report
to the British parliament in November 1942, proposed a system of social
security which would be operated by the state. Today, the ideas that were outlined in the Beveridge Report are
still considered to provide the foundation of the modern Welfare State.
This is exactly or perhaps even more than Beveridgeenvisaged has been happening in the state of Telangana ever since
TRS government came to power with KCR as the Chief Minister.Welfare
encompasses those government programs that provide benefits and economic
assistance to no or low income people living in Telangana. One of the main
goals of welfare of Government of Telangana is to improve the quality of life
and living standards for the poor and underprivileged. Welfare help is extended
to poor and underprivileged such as the elderly, the disabled, students,
farmers, workers, professionals etc.
Welfare
programs available in the state include among others, land purchase scheme for
distribution to Dalits; Aasara pensions to old age people, widows, handicapped,
Beedi workers, toddy tappers, poor artists; six kilograms of one rupee per KG
rice per head; provision of fine rice with unlimited food to hostel children;
better meal with egg and milk to Lactating and pregnant women; Kalyanalaxmi and
Shadimubarak Schemes; two bed room house to the poor; Post-Matric scholarships,
reimbursement of tuition fees; residential schools to SC, ST, BC and minorities
etc. Telangana Government has allocated huge amounts in successive budgets for
the welfare. Income limit for eligibility of obtaining benefit has been raised
to Rs. 1. 5 Lakhs (from Rs. 60, 000) in rural areas and to Rs. 2 Lakhs (from
Rs. 75, 000) in urban areas. This makes many come under BPL. The income
criterion is for all the schemes of the Government.
Hostel
children are being provided with fine rice with unlimited food. Adequate
budgetary provision is made for women and child welfare. Lactating and pregnant
women are provided with better meal with egg as well as milk. Efforts are being
made to make Telangana State a kerosene free one with supply of gas connections
to as many as possible. Kalyanalaxmi and Shadimubarak Schemes are introduced by
way of financial assistance to girls at the time of marriage, with an amount of
Rs. 51, 000. Under the scheme all eligible girls from SC, ST, BC and Minorities
as well as economically backward classes who are to get married are provided an
amount of Rs. 51,000/- before marriage very well in advance. The amount
will be paid through cheque to the mother of the bride by the concerned MLA of
the segment.
With a
view to help the youth through Self Employment schemes with the bank linkage,
the Government has announced a new policy of subsidy, wherein the subsidy has
been made substantial and attractive for all categories of finance. In
the past the maximum subsidy given under economic support scheme was only Rs.
30,000/- this has been raised with a minimum of Rs. 80,000/- for a unit cost of
Rs. 1.00 Lakh; Rs. 1,20,000/- for a unit cost of Rs. 2.00 lakhs and Rs.
2,50,000 for unit cost of Rs. 5.00 Lakh and above. This will enable a large
number of youth to access a wide variety of schemes. In order to encourage
SC-ST students for higher studies in leading universities in other developed
countries such as U.S.A, U.K, etc Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi (Education)
Scheme has been introduced. In 2015-16 Minorities also have been included under
the overseas education scheme.
The
Government is providing Post Matric Scholarships for poor students to pursue
professional, degree and post graduate courses. Government is running a large
number of Residential schools for imparting quality education to students of
weaker sections. Top class education facilities are provided by way of
infrastructure, logistics and quality teaching. The performance of
residential schools is much higher than the other schools in the state.
Government is running a large number of study circles for the welfare of the
poor students to compete for a large number of competitive exams.
Government
of Telangana has the distinction of universalizing one Full Meal Programme from
1st January,
2015 in the name of Arogya Lakshmi which is unique in the entire country in the
sense that one hot-cooked meal is served with daily egg and milk to ensure that
the pregnant and lactating women have nutritious food at the Center itself
along with Iron and Folic Acid Tablets to reduce anemia and malnutrition.
Government
of Telangana gives utmost priority to the safety and security of women in the
State. Telangana is the first state in entire country which constituted a High
Level Committee to suggest measures for effective implementation of various
legislations meant for safety and security of girls and women. The Committee
made its recommendations and based on those recommendations, different
departments are taking various measures for improved safety and security of
women. This is another unique initiative by Government of Telangana.
In the
past, social security pensions provided were meager and, barely sufficient to
cover the basic minimum requirements of the needy. With a view to combat
the ever-increasing cost of living and inflation, the Government has introduced
a new scheme called Aasara pensions, which will provide substantial financial
benefits to all the above categories, particularly those who are most needy.
The scale of assistance has enhanced from Rs. 500/- to Rs. 1500/- per month for
disabled persons and from Rs. 200/- to Rs. 1000/- per month for other than
disabled persons. Government has also introduced Financial Assistance to Beedi
Workers at the rate of Rs.1000/- per month. Government has announced and is
being implemented a new scheme for providing accidental insurance for Rs. 5.00
lakhs for Transport Drivers/Home Guards/Working journalists. Premium for the
insurance policies will be totally borne by the Government.
The
Government of Telangana has redefined the concept of housing for the poor by
enhancing the quality and space for the construction of house to give dignity
to the poor. As against the old yardstick of 260 square feet the
government presently has launched the new scheme with a two bedroom, two
toilets and a hall and kitchen with 560 SFT. This is perhaps the only state in
the country to launch such a liberal scheme for the poor. Two Lakh such
houses are planned to be built this year-one Lakh in GHMC area and another one
Lakh in rest of the state. End
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