Wakf Board to extend Divorcee Pension Scheme to widows

Nampally: TS Wakf Board on Thursday announced that the existing pension scheme for divorcees will be extended to widows in the coming days. 

• Pension scheme for widows is first in the country 
• It would be a boon to families who lost earning member, especially in accidents

Board’s chairman Mohammed Saleem, who distributed cheques to 36 divorcees at his chamber as part of the pension scheme, felt the need of extending the scheme to widows, particularly those who had lost husbands in road accidents. The pension of 351 beneficiaries which was pending for several months were cleared with all the arrears on Thursday. Out of 351 beneficiaries, 36 women received cheques from chairman, while the remaining including those in districts will get the pension online.

Later, speaking to media Saleem said that all the beneficiaries received funds from the Rs 1 crore government’s grant released by State government. He announced that the Board has decided to extend the scheme to widows, which would be the first time as no other State Wakf Board has such a scheme covering widows. He said the decision was taken as the Board’s coffers grew in the recent months due to revenues generated from auctioning of Wakf properties after rationalising the price on rent or lease. 

“We have already started providing funds to underprivileged who are undergoing medical treatment for chronic ailments like cancer, heart problems, kidney ailments and patients undergoing dialysis. The extension of pension scheme to widows would help the family members, if the head of the family dies an unnatural death, like accidents. Following inquiry with the police officials, the widow of the deceased would be eligible and will be covered under the scheme,” he added.