Goa first state to give stipend to HIV patients

March 30, 2010

By Sadguru Patil

Panaji, March 30 - Goa become the first state in the country to provide monthly

financial assistance to HIV positive persons. The Social Welfare department of

Goa government has enrolled four HIV positive persons under well known Dayanand

social security scheme this month that will entitle them for monthly financial

assistance of Rs. 1000.

Dy director of Social Welfare Department Mr S Fernandes while confirming this

news said, " We are maintaining utmost secrecy about the beneficiaries of DSS,

who belongs to HIV positive category. First time we have enrolled four HIV

positive persons for DSS scheme as per government's policy decision. Goa AIDS

Control Society had scrutinised and recommended their names, stated Fernandes

while talking to Digital Goa here today. AIDS Control Society will be the nodal

agency for the implementation of this scheme for HIV patients.

DSS Scheme which was launched seven years back covers financially weak senior

citizens, widows and handicapped persons. Till date whopping 1.8 lakh

beneficiaries are availing this scheme. Goa government spends a monthly sum of

Rs 10.80 crore on this popular scheme. On an average 500 to 600 new applications

are received by social welfare department under scheme every month. Over 5,000

forms are still pending with the department for scrutiny at the moment.

In order to plug the leakages in the funds, social welfare department has

started carrying out an interesting exercise. Department has appointed a staff

to scan obituary advertisements appearing in all newspapers of Goa. " The name of

the person died is verified with our database and in case he or she happens to

be DSS beneficiary, we immediately stops the benefit of this scheme to that

person " , noted Mr. Fernandes. This exercise has been very effective and so far

we could stop benefit of 2500 to 3000 DDS beneficiaries, he added.

Meanwhile, government intends to give financial package to the people who are

involved in traditional occupations like artisans, tody tappers etc. Government

has recently appointed 30 members committee under the chairmanship of Dr.

Nandkumar Kamat to conduct study of such businesses and to suggest solution in

order to give new lease of life to the traditional businesses of Goa. Committee

held its first meet recently.

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