The Modi government has introduced a slew of reforms over the past many years to ensure social security for all citizens, with special focus on the marginalized section of society. Many reforms have been initiated in the pension sector to cater to the post-retirement needs of people irrespective of their work status. The government has also undertaken some women-centric pension reforms.
In the recent session of the Pension Adalat, launched by the Central Government to resolve pensioners’ problems, 490 out of 531 complaints were settled on the spot.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh recently praised the success of this initiative and also highlighted such reforms in the service rules related to pension. At the 34th meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) last week, Singh said that the recent decisions of the government have provided more financial security to women.
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Now divorced daughter will get the right to the father’s pension
Singh, who is also in charge of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), said that now divorced or separated daughters can claim for their late father’s pension. Earlier they had to fight a long legal battle, but now if the divorce process had started during the lifetime of the parents, then the daughter would not have to wait for the final decision of the court. This change has brought relief to those daughters who were deprived of this right till earlier.
More big changes for women
The government has taken many important steps to increase the economic security and self-reliance of women.
Widows entitled to pension even after remarriage: Now if a widowed woman remarries and her income from other sources is less than the minimum pension limit, she will still be able to receive her deceased husband’s pension or family pension. This step will encourage widowed women to start a new life again.
Women have more rights in family pension: Now if a woman applies for divorce or files a case under domestic violence or dowry harassment, she can nominate her children for a pension instead of her husband. This will be a big support for women who are facing difficulties in married life.
A widow without children will get the right to a pension even if she marries a second time.
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