In a progressive step towards greater social inclusion and support for the differently-abled, the Government of Goa, through its Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), has amended the income eligibility criteria for its welfare scheme targeted at Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
📌 Key Amendments to the Scheme
The notification brings two major changes, focusing on:
- Increased Income Eligibility Limit, and
- Revised Income Certificate Requirements based on jurisdiction (rural/urban).
Enhanced Income Limit for Eligibility
In Clause (4)(3) of the original scheme, the income ceiling has been revised as follows:
“The applicant’s family income from all sources shall not exceed ₹8.00 lakhs per annum or the limit revised/raised at par with that of the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category from time to time.”
- ✅ Significance:
This revision aligns the PwD empowerment scheme with EWS guidelines, expanding coverage and allowing more economically vulnerable persons with disabilities to avail of government support. - 📄 Proof Requirement:
The Income Certificate issued by a competent authority will be accepted as conclusive proof of income.
Jurisdiction-based Income Certificate Guidelines
In Clause (6)(3), the government has now defined who can issue income certificates, depending on whether the applicant resides in a rural or urban area.
Revised Provision:
“Family income certificate shall be issued by:
- the Village Panchayat Secretary for applicants from rural areas, or
- the Chief Officer of the concerned Municipal Council for those in municipal jurisdictions,
stating that the total family income from all sources does not exceed ₹8.00 lakhs per annum.” - 🛡️ This ensures better transparency and decentralization of the verification process.
🎯 Objective of the Amendment
The amendment is part of the state government’s ongoing mission to:
- Ensure that more persons with disabilities are brought under the umbrella of social welfare and economic empowerment.
- Streamline and simplify the documentation process.
- Ensure equity by harmonizing eligibility with the EWS criteria, thereby acknowledging rising living costs and economic challenges.
🔚 Conclusion
The Government of Goa’s step to enhance the income ceiling and simplify procedural requirements reflects its commitment to inclusive development. By enabling a wider set of beneficiaries from economically weaker backgrounds, this change can contribute significantly to the empowerment, education, skill development, and employability of persons with disabilities in the state.