The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has launched many new schemes to provide steady monetary assistance to weak and downtrodden people in the society.
Giving the details of the important social sector schemes launched by the government, the Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee while presenting an Interim Budget in the Lok Sabha, said that the emphasis has also been given to the empowerment of women as an abiding objective of the UPA government.
He also announced the launching of two new schemes namely Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme in the current year.
The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme will provide pension of Rs 200 to widows between the age group of 40-64 years and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme aims to provide pension to severely disabled persons.
To further strengthen social and economic inclusion of minority communities, Mukherjee said that the UPA Government has also announced the Prime Minister's 15 point programme for the welfare of the minorities.
Adequate allocations are being made to support this initiative. The authorized capital of the National Safai Karamchari Finance and Development Corporation is being raised from Rs 200 crore (Rs 2 billion) to Rs 300 crore (Rs 3 billion) to enable it to effectively carry out its mandate.
The scope of the pre-matriculation scholarship for children of those engaged in unclean occupations has been expanded and the rates of scholarships have been doubled in 2008-2009.
The annual adhoc grant has also been substantially increased by almost 50
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