Scheme in Sanjay Gandhi's name to be repackaged, renamed

The social justice ministry of the Maharashtra government is planning to revamp and rename two welfare schemes for destitute, including one in the name of Congress leader Sanjay Gandhi, an official source said here today.
Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojna of Maharashtra government would soon be repackaged and renamed, he said.
The scheme had been introduced by former Chief Minister A R Antulay, who recently passed away.
It was meant to provide financial assistance to destitute persons, disabled, orphan children, persons suffering from major illnesses, divorced women, abandoned women, women freed from prostitution, etc.
A beneficiary gets Rs 600 per month under the scheme.

The ministry is also planning to revamp and rename 'Shravan Bal Seva Rajya Nivrutti Vetan Yojna', aimed to provide monthly pension to destitute senior citizens, he said, adding the age limit would be lowered to 60 years from 65 and a new name would be given.

The source also said that about 30 per cent posts in the social justice department were vacant, and in some districts there were no social welfare officers.
The department also lacked staff at the gram-panchayat level, which made effective implementation of schemes difficult, he added.
It had been proposed that the Centre's skill-development programme, announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, should be implemented in residential schools under the social justice department with Central funds, the source said.