Griha Aadhar Scheme

Description
The "Griha Aadhar Scheme" is one of the flagship programmes of the Department of Women & Child Development, Government of Goa. The objective of the scheme is to address the problem of spiralling prices and to provide support to the housewives/homemakers from the middle, lower middle and poor sections of society, to maintain a reasonable standard of living for their families. Under this scheme, a monthly disbursement of an amount as prescribed under the scheme will be provided every month directly to the hands of the housewives/homemakers to achieve the objective.

Exclusions
• The married woman or her husband shall not be in receipt of benefits under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) rolled out by the Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Goa.
• This scheme shall not be applicable to those married women who or whose husband is employed in any of the following entities on a regular basis (contract/daily wages are excluded):

Benefits
• Financial Assistance of ₹ 1,500/- per month.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant should be a married woman.
2. The applicant should be above the age of 18 years.
3. The applicant should be a resident of Goa for the last fifteen years.
4. The gross income of the husband and wife, taken together should not exceed ₹ 3,00,000/- per annum.
5. A widow with a minor child who is in receipt of benefits under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) rolled out by the Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Goa shall be eligible for benefits under this scheme.

Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest if required).
Offline — https://www.goa.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Laadli-Laxmi-Scheme-Griha-Aadhar-Schme-Amendment-Notification.pdf
Step 1: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest if required).

Step 2: Step 2:The applicant should send the application to:
Offline — https://www.goa.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Laadli-Laxmi-Scheme-Griha-Aadhar-Schme-Amendment-Notification.pdf
Director, Directorate of Women And Child Development, Panaji-Goa, 2nd floor, Old Education Building, 18th June Road, Altinho, Panaji, Goa - 403 001.

Required Documents
• Aadhaar Card
• Proof of Present Residential Address (Election Photo Identity Card or any such document which establishes the present address).
• (If the applicant is a native of Goa) Residence Certificate (15 years) of Self, issued by Mamlatdar of the Taluka concerned.
• (If the applicant is a native of outside Goa) Residence Certificate (15 years) of Husband, along with the Birth Certificate of Self. Provided that the Husband is of Goan origin, and the couple are settled in Goa for a period of one year.
• Income Certificate issued by the Competent authority (i.e. Secretary, Village Panchayat/Chief Officer, Municipal Council).
• A Self-Declaration in form duly certified and attested before a Gazetted Officer of the State Government, declaring therein that the annual income from all sources does not exceed ₹ 3,00,000/- and also that the applicant or her husband is not employed in any of the entities on regular basis.
• Self-attested copy of Savings Bank Account Passbook (with IFSC and MICR details) (The bank account submitted should be preferably Aadhaar linked for DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) purposes).
• Birth Certificate of the child along with life certificate (in case of a widow who is a DSSS beneficiary).
• Marriage Certificate issued by the competent authority.
• Life Certificate of Self (signed by any Gazetted Officer or MLA or MP)
• Income Certificate (issued by the Competent Authority i.e. Secretary, Village Panchayat/ Chief Officer, Municipal Council).
• Life Certificate of the Child (In case of a widow who has a child)

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who Is Considered A _Married Woman_ Under The Scheme's Eligibility Criteria
A: The term "married woman" includes not only a woman who is currently married but also widows and divorcees. All these categories of women are eligible for the scheme, provided their gross income does not exceed Rs. 3,00,000 per annum.

Q: How Is The "Gross Income" Of The Beneficiary Defined For The Purpose Of Eligibility Assessment?
A: The term "gross income" refers to all income received by the beneficiary, such as salary, remuneration, earnings from profession, agriculture, business, or any other source of income. It includes all income before considering any statutory, essential, or other deductions that are required to be made from the gross income.

Q: Are Widows And Divorcees Subject To The Same Income Limit As Married Women For Eligibility?
A: Yes, widows and divorcees are subject to the same income limit of Rs. 3,00,000 per annum for eligibility under the scheme. As long as their gross income does not exceed this limit, they are eligible to avail the benefits.

Q: Can You Provide Examples Of Income Sources Considered Under The Term "Gross Income"?
A: "Gross income" includes various sources of earnings such as salary from employment, remuneration from work, income generated from professions, earnings from agriculture or business activities, and any other income received from various sources.

Q: How Are Deductions Accounted For While Calculating The Gross Income For Eligibility?
A: While calculating the gross income, no deductions for statutory, essential, or any other purposes are taken into account. The income considered is the total income before any deductions are made.

Q: What Happens If The Beneficiary Fails To Submit The Life Certificate And Income Certificate As Required By The Scheme?
A: If the beneficiary fails to submit the required Life Certificate and Income Certificate, the monthly financial assistance will be stopped immediately. However, upon receipt of the necessary certificates and meeting other conditions, the assistance will be resumed from the next month.

Q: What Happens If The Beneficiary Does Not Withdraw The Financial Assistance For 6 Months Or More?
A: If the beneficiary does not withdraw the financial assistance for a continuous period of 6 months or more, the accumulated amount will be reversed and issued in the form of a Demand Draft in favor of the Director, Directorate of Women & Child Development by the concerned bank.

Q: What Are The Consequences Of Availing Benefits Under The Scheme Based On Incorrect Information Or False Declaration?
A: If any beneficiary avails benefits under the scheme by providing wrong or false information, legal action will be initiated against them, and they will be disqualified from receiving benefits under any other government schemes.

Q: How Is The Scheme's Implementation Facilitated To Address Any Difficulties That May Arise?
A: A4: To handle any difficulties in implementing the scheme, a four-member committee has been constituted. The committee includes the Secretary (Women and Child Development) as Chairperson, a Social Worker appointed by the Government as Member, an Additional/Joint Secretary (Finance) as Member, and the Director of Women and Child Development as Member Secretary. The committee's decisions are final and binding on all concerned.

Q: How Is The Financial Assistance Disbursed To The Beneficiaries?
A: The financial assistance of Rs. 1500/- is directly paid into the savings bank account of the eligible beneficiary through ABPS/ACH/NEFT every month.

Q: Can Widows And Divorcees Avail Of The Benefits Of This Scheme?
A: Yes, the term 'married woman' in the scheme includes widows and divorcees as well. As long as their gross income does not exceed Rs. 3,00,000/- per annum, they are eligible for the financial assistance.

Q: How Is The Financial Assistance Paid To The Beneficiaries?
A: The financial assistance is paid every month directly into the savings bank account of the eligible beneficiary through ABPS (Aadhar Bridge Payment System)/ACH (Automated Credit House)/NEFT (National Electronic Fund Transfer) subject to other conditions.

Q: How Much Financial Assistance Is Provided Under The Scheme?
A: Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive a monthly disbursement of Rs. 1500/- (Rupees one thousand five hundred only).