PUNE: PMC’s Social Welfare Department operates 61 schemes for youths, women, children and economically backward classes. However, the income limit for beneficiaries fixed at ₹1 lakh in 2007 is unchanged since 16 years. Because of the income limit condition, many citizens are not able to take advantage of these schemes. As a result, the funds allocated for these schemes remain unutilised. Hence, the civic administration is considering increasing the income limit.
The Social Welfare Department of PMC fixed the income limit of ₹1 lakh for beneficiaries of 61 schemes. There has been no change in the limit. Initially, many citizens were getting the benefit of these schemes. Later, incomes increased and the inflation also increased significantly. Hence, despite being needy, many people are deprived of benefiting from the schemes because their income is more than ₹1 lakh.
It is a fact that apart from PMC’s education aid scheme for SSC and HSC students, no other scheme gets a response. Meanwhile, the state government has increased the limit for many welfare schemes but the civic body has not increased the income limit for its schemes. It is expected that the PMC will do so.
Allocation is made for various projects in the civic budget for various schemes of the Social Welfare Department. Actually, many beneficiaries don’t apply to take advantage of the schemes. As per an order issued by the state government, 5 per cent amount of the budget should be kept aside and spent on social welfare schemes. However, in reality, not even two per cent amount is being spent.
Important schemes of PMC
Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Education Financial Assistance Scheme
Moulana Abdul Kalam Azad Education Financial Assistance Scheme
Rani Laxmibai Women Empowerment Scheme
Girl Adoption Scheme
Shelter scheme for vagabond children
Divyang Welfare Scheme
Deendayal Upadhay Antyoday Yojana
Backward Classes Welfare Scheme
Woman and children Welfare Scheme
Youth Welfare Scheme
Creche
The PMC operates two schemes for SSC and HSC students i.e. Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Education Financial Assistance Scheme and Moulana Abdul Kalam Azad Education Financial Assistance Scheme. It is getting a good response for these schemes. However, there is poor response to other schemes.
Year Funds allocated Expenditure Beneficiaries
2020-21 ₹25 crore ₹5.88 crore 5,483
2021-22 ₹34 crore ₹9.36 crore 6,023
2022-23 ₹41.60 crore ₹23.11 crore 7,980
Nitin Udas, Deputy Collector, Social Welfare Department, PMC said, “It is necessary to increase the income limit of various social welfare schemes. After 2007, the income limit has not been raised. A proposal about this is going to be prepared.”
