The Government of Gujarat has launched several welfare initiatives to empower women and promote social equality. One of its most significant programs is the Ganga Swarupa Punah Lagna Arthik Sahay Scheme, which provides financial assistance to widowed women for remarriage. The scheme aims to bring positive social change, encourage widow remarriage, and support women in rebuilding their lives with dignity and financial security.
Widowed women in India often face emotional and financial hardship after the loss of their husbands. To help them start a new life, the Gujarat government provides direct financial support to those who choose remarriage. The scheme offers a total of ₹50,000, divided into two parts — ₹25,000 through Direct Bank Transfer (DBT) and ₹25,000 in the form of National Savings Certificates (NSC). This dual benefit ensures both immediate support and long-term savings security.
Dates and Objectives of the Scheme
Dates of Implementation
The Ganga Swarupa Punah Lagna Arthik Sahay Scheme is a continuous welfare program under the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Gujarat. It is applicable for all eligible beneficiaries throughout the year, and applications can be submitted through the Taluka Mamlatdar’s Office at any time, subject to verification.
Objectives of the Scheme
The scheme’s primary objective is to promote remarriage among widowed women and help them reintegrate into society with financial stability and respect. The government of Gujarat recognizes the social barriers faced by widows and has introduced this assistance program to eliminate stigma and encourage empowerment.
The specific objectives of the scheme are:
- Encourage Widow Remarriage:
To promote remarriage as a socially accepted and dignified step for widowed women. - Provide Financial Security:
To offer a one-time financial assistance to help widows manage expenses related to remarriage and settlement. - Empower Women Socially and Economically:
To strengthen the position of widowed women by making them financially self-reliant and independent. - Ensure Social Reintegration:
To provide opportunities for widows to start new lives and reintegrate into mainstream society. - Reduce Social Discrimination:
To remove the stigma associated with widowhood and ensure equality and respect for women across all social classes.
Key Features of the Scheme
The Ganga Swarupa Punah Lagna Arthik Sahay Scheme offers several features designed to ensure transparency, accessibility, and effective delivery of benefits.
1. Target Group
The scheme is exclusively for widowed women aged between 18 and 50 years, who are already beneficiaries of the Ganga Swarupa Pension Scheme (widow pension scheme).
2. Financial Support
Each eligible widow receives ₹50,000 in total assistance, which includes:
- ₹25,000 transferred directly to the widow’s bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- ₹25,000 issued as National Savings Certificates (NSC) for long-term financial security.
3. Financial Inclusion
The use of DBT ensures that funds reach the right beneficiaries without any middlemen, making the process transparent and corruption-free.
4. Encouragement for Social Acceptance
By supporting remarriage, the scheme helps reduce the stigma associated with widowhood and promotes gender equality.
5. Simple and Offline Application Process
The scheme can be applied for offline at the Taluka Mamlatdar’s Office, making it accessible even to women in rural areas who may not have access to online facilities.
6. Verification by Government Officials
All applications are verified and approved by the Mamlatdar to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive the benefit.
7. Dual Benefit Approach
The scheme provides both immediate financial relief (through cash transfer) and future financial stability (through savings certificates).
Scholarship Amount (Financial Assistance)
Under the Ganga Swarupa Punah Lagna Arthik Sahay Scheme, the financial assistance is provided as follows:
- ₹25,000 – Transferred directly to the beneficiary’s savings account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for immediate use.
- ₹25,000 – Given as National Savings Certificates (NSC) in the name of the widow, ensuring long-term financial security.
Thus, each eligible widow receives a total of ₹50,000 as a combination of cash assistance and savings support.
This financial help assists in meeting remarriage-related expenses such as ceremony costs, household needs, or setting up a new life. The NSC portion also ensures that beneficiaries have a savings corpus for future needs.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Ganga Swarupa Punah Lagna Arthik Sahay Scheme, applicants must meet the following eligibility conditions:
- Residency:
The applicant must be a resident of Gujarat with valid proof such as Aadhaar card, voter ID, or electricity bill. - Age Limit:
The applicant must be between 18 to 50 years of age at the time of application. - Beneficiary Status:
The applicant must be a registered beneficiary of the Ganga Swarupa Pension Scheme (widow pension scheme). - Marital Status:
The applicant must be a widow who wishes to remarry under legal and social norms. - Income Criteria:
The applicant must provide income proof as required under the scheme guidelines. - License and Registration:
Applicants must be registered with the concerned Taluka Mamlatdar’s Office to avail benefits. - One-Time Benefit:
The scheme benefit can be availed only once per beneficiary. - Verification:
All documents submitted must be verified by the Mamlatdar before approval.
Reservation Policy
The Ganga Swarupa Punah Lagna Arthik Sahay Scheme is designed exclusively for widowed women under the Ganga Swarupa Pension Scheme. Therefore, there is no caste-based or community-based reservation under this program.
The scheme ensures equal access to benefits for all eligible widows across all social, economic, and religious backgrounds. Every widow who meets the eligibility criteria is entitled to the same amount of financial assistance, irrespective of caste or category.
Distribution of Financial Assistance
The distribution of assistance under this scheme follows a transparent and systematic process to ensure accountability and timely delivery.
1. Amount Distribution
The total assistance amount of ₹50,000 is distributed as:
- ₹25,000 via DBT: Directly credited to the beneficiary’s savings bank account.
- ₹25,000 via NSC: Issued in the name of the widow for future financial safety.
2. Mode of Payment
The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system ensures immediate and secure fund transfer directly to the widow’s account without intermediaries.
3. Implementing Authorities
- The Taluka Mamlatdar’s Office is the primary nodal office for receiving and processing applications.
- The District Officer and Women and Child Development Department oversee verification and final approval.
4. Transparency and Monitoring
All disbursements are monitored by the state welfare department, ensuring proper utilization of government funds.
Application Process (Step-by-Step Guide)
The application process for the Ganga Swarupa Punah Lagna Arthik Sahay Scheme is offline, simple, and accessible. Below is a detailed step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Obtain the Application Form
Visit the nearest Taluka Mamlatdar’s Office to collect the official application form for the scheme.
Step 2: Fill in the Details
Carefully fill out all the required details in the form, including:
- Full Name of the applicant
- Age and date of birth
- Address and contact details
- Ganga Swarupa Pension Scheme beneficiary number
- Details of deceased husband
- Bank account details (for DBT transfer)
- Details of remarriage proposal
Step 3: Attach Required Documents
Attach self-attested copies of all required documents such as:
- Aadhaar card / Voter ID card
- Ration card
- School leaving certificate or birth certificate
- Husband’s death certificate
- Income certificate
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Proof of widowhood
- Electricity bill or proof of residence
Step 4: Submit the Application
Submit the completed application form along with documents to the Taluka Mamlatdar’s Office.
Step 5: Verification of Application
The Mamlatdar will verify all details and documents provided by the applicant. Any discrepancies may require clarification or additional documents.
Step 6: Approval of Financial Assistance
After successful verification, the application will be approved by the Mamlatdar and forwarded to the Women and Child Development Department for fund release.
Step 7: Disbursement of Funds
Once approved:
- ₹25,000 will be transferred directly to the applicant’s bank account.
- ₹25,000 will be issued as National Savings Certificates (NSC) to the beneficiary.
Documents Required
Applicants must provide the following documents while applying for the scheme:
- Any other supporting documents as required by the Mamlatdar’s office
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Copy of ration card
- Copy of Aadhaar card or Voter ID card
- School leaving certificate or birth certificate (for age verification)
- Husband’s death certificate
- Income proof certificate
- Electricity bill or residence proof
- Proof of widow status (such as Ganga Swarupa Pension document)
