Govt largesse: Widows’ allowance now Rs 100

PATIALA, Feb 25: Minister of State for Social Welfare Bibi Jagir Kaur claimed here today that the cash dole to the four widows staying in...

PATIALA, Feb 25: Minister of State for Social Welfare Bibi Jagir Kaur claimed here today that the cash dole to the four widows staying in the Kasturba Sewa Ashram at Rajpura, in this district, had been raised by Rs 50 per month.

When the miserable life being led by these widows, who lost their husbands during the partition days, was brought to her notice, the Minister said that the Social Welfare Department Director had personally visited the Ashram and reported that things were normal.

She insisted that the department could not do much for these widows since they had refused to be shifted to the Old Age Home at Hoshiarpur pleading that they were emotionally attached to their present abode. She admitted that a large number of employees had been posted in the Ashram to take care look after the widows.

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Living in the small dingy rooms of the ashram, only recently were they sanctioned a monthly old age pension of Rs 200, but the money comes in quarterly installments. Their needs are taken care of by the female supervisor of the ashram.

There is no female attendant to attend to them, according to ashram sources. The sweeper of the ashram makes rounds of the rooms allocated to these widows, but she is on duty only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no arrangement for medical aid in case of an emergency. All the inmates are taken to the Civil Hospital for medical aid.

When apprised of their problems, the Minister directed Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir, Patiala, to conduct an inspection of the Kasturba Ashram and find out if the widows lodged there are facing any problems.

Though several political leaders have come out with statements demanding immediate steps to help these widows, no social or voluntary organisation has done anything to help them in the twilight of their lives.