SHILLONG, MAR 16: UDP legislator Jemino Mawthoh questioned the inclusion of ‘single mothers’ as beneficiaries under Chief Minister Scheme for Social Assistance (CMSSA) and whether such inclusion is not likely to encourage more divorce in the state.
“I have encountered that single mothers as old as 17-18 years come to me for financial assistance. Now is it a way of encouraging people to go for divorce by including single mothers in the scheme,” Mawthoh questioned during the assembly session on Monday.
Mawthoh wanted to know the reason behind such inclusion and said earlier the scheme was specifically meant for infirm, widows and disable section of the society.
In her reply, Meghalaya social welfare minister Deborah Marak categorically stated, “It is not an encouragement.” She said the chief minister understand the problem faced by single mothers and decided to include them as beneficiaries of this scheme.
Marak informed that there are a total of 16782 numbers of both widows and single mothers who are beneficiaries of the scheme. Out of the 48234 beneficiaries who availed the CMSSA scheme during 2013-14, she said, 24409 are infirms and 7043 are disabled.
Marak also said those eligible for the scheme should have income not less than 12, 000 annually and they be genuine citizens residing in Meghalaya.
Meanwhile, Independent legislator John Leslee Sangma objected to the use of the word disabled. “I am disturbed by with reference as disable. Is it not that they should be referred as physically challenge or differently-abled.” questioned. – By Our Reporter
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