The Haryana Pension to Widows and Destitute Women Scheme was introduced in the year 1980-81. The aim of the scheme is to provide social security to women who are unable to sustain themselves with their own resources and are in need of financial assistance. The rate of pension, which was Rs. 50 per month, at the beginning of the scheme, was enhanced from time to time. The rate of pension was increased to Rs. 1000/- per month w.e.f. 1-1-2014. The rate of pension was increased to Rs. 1,200/- P.M w.e.f 1-1-2015. The Government has increased the rates under the scheme to Rs. 1400/- P.M. per beneficiary w.e.f. 01-01-2016, Rs. 1600/- w.e.f. 01-11-2016, Rs. 1800/- w.e.f. 01-11-2017 and Rs. 2000/- w.e.f. 01-11-2018.

A) Eligibility Criteria:

A women of age 18 years and above is eligible for the grant of pension under the scheme if she is domicile of Haryana and has been residing in Haryana State for the last one year at the time of submission of application also her own income from all sources is below Rs. 2,00,000/- per annum and further any one of the following three conditions is fulfilled:

i) She is a widow

ii) She is destitute without husband, parents and son(s)

iii) She is destitute due to desertion or physical/mental incapacity of

(a) Husband in case of married women; or

(b) Parents in case of other women.

B) Exclusion:

Notwithstanding the above, a woman employed by any Government or by any Local/Statutory Body or any organization substantially financed by any Government or Local/Statutory Body or who is drawing pension or family pension there from will not be eligible under this Scheme.

“Pension” wherever occurring in any Government notification concerning Social Security Benefits means and includes, income received or accrued from accumulated earnings, including the following schemes:

*Provident Funds

*Annuities from any source including Commercial Banks, Financial Institutions or Insurance.

C) The eligible beneficiaries are added every month.

D) Details of beneficiaries, budget and expenditure incurred under this scheme are as under:-

(Rs. in Crores)

The Budget Provision for the year 2018-19 = Rs. 1511.20 Crores