MUMBAI, March 29: In a welcome departure from earlier practice, widows of seafarers will be paid monthly assistance for life under a new scheme, stated the National Union of Seafarers of India. The union has decided to pay seafarers's widows a monthly pension of Rs 200 for life. NUSI secretary-general Dr Leo Barnes said. An estimated 2,000 widows are expected to benefit from the scheme. Initially, about 120 cases have been shortlisted for payment, added Barnes.He said post-dated cheques will be issued to the widows through nationalised banks. The beneficiary will be able to encash the cheque at the nearest bank instead to coming to the city to collect the money. ``The union will raise an additional fund of about Rs 50 lakh to make payments,'' said Barnes.Earlier, about 1,400 widows were being paid Rs 200 under the Monthly Ex-gratia Monetary Assistance by the Seafarers' Welfare Fund Society between the years 1993-95. Although the scheme was to pay the widows for 12 years, it was discontinued in less thantwo years. Commonly known as `MEMA', the scheme is also applicable to seaman serving onboard various merchant ships with Indian flags.
