Poor response to pension scheme for acid victims

 Women and Child Development Minister Umashree said on Friday that victims of acid attacks are not coming forward to claim monthly pension given by the government.

Of the 129 cases of acid attack, only 12 victims have been drawing the pension though the department has written to each of the victims informing them about the scheme, she told reporters. Under the scheme, the department gives Rs 3,000 a month as pension to each of the victims.

She was speaking after reviewing the implementation of budgetary schemes meant for women under 29 departments of the government.

Another scheme to provide interest-free educational loans to students from economically weaker sections has received poor response. Under the Rajiv Gandhi Loan Scholarship scheme, students in general degree and postgraduate degree courses can obtain the loan. The scheme is being implemented by the Social Welfare Department. She said the department has prepared a draft bill that seeks to create a separate head of accounts for schemes meant for women under all departments.