The 2011 census indicates the number of widows in the country and not their social and economic condition. The number of widows as per the decennial Census 2011 conducted by Registrar General of India is at Annexure- I.

There are a number of Schemes being implemented by various Ministries of the Government of India through States Governments/UT Administrations which address the common needs of widows also. While some schemes cover a broader segment of population of which widows constitute a part, there are widow specific schemes also. The major schemes of Government of India in this regard are as under:-

Home for Widows: A Home for Widows has been set up in Vrindavan, UP with a capacity of 1000 inmates to provide widows a safe and secure place of stay, health services, nutritious food, legal and counseling services.

SwadharGreh Scheme:-The Ministry of Women and Child Development implements SwadharGreh Scheme which envisions a supportive institutional framework for women victims of difficult circumstances so that they could lead their life with dignity and conviction.

The Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme: -The Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme of Ministry of Women and Child Development aims to empower rural women through community participation and to create an environment in which they realize their full potential.

Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS):- The Ministry of Rural Development is implementing Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) under which Pension Scheme for Widows as well as Pension Scheme for the Elderly below poverty line are operated.

National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS):- The Ministry of Rural Development implements National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) under which monetary grant of Rs. 20,000 is given as lump sum assistance to the bereaved household in the event of death of the bread-winner.

Annapurna Scheme :- Under Annapurna Scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development, ten kg of food grain is given to those eligible aged persons who have remained uncovered under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS).

DeendayalAntyodayaYojana :- The DeendayalAntyodayaYojana National Rural Livelihood Mission of the Ministry of Rural Development aims at creating efficient and effective institutional platforms of the rural poor. 

Prime Minister AwaasYojana (PMAY-G) :- The Prime Minister AwaasYojana (PMAY-G) of Ministry of Rural Development and the Prime Minister AwaasYojana (PMAY-U) of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs aims at providing affordable housing for women.

NariArthikSashaktikaranYojan - The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment implements NariArthikSashaktikaranYojana to support Scheduled Castes, Single Women/Widows to take up income generating activities.

Intergrated Programme for Older Persons:- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment implements Intergrated Programme for Older Persons to improve the quality of life of senior citizens.

Assistance for vocational training of widows of ex-servicemen:- The Ministry of Defence provides financial assistance for vocational training of widows of ex-servicemen, treatment of serious diseases of non-pensioner ex-servicemen/widows and daughter’s marriage/widows’ remarriage.

 

Annexure  I

The number of Widows as per Census 2011.

Sl.No.	States/UTs	No. of Widows
1	JAMMU & KASHMIR	283650
2	HIMACHAL PRADESH	293475
3	PUNJAB	928158
4	CHANDIGARH	24496
5	UTTARAKHAND	387215
6	HARYANA	773297
7	NCT OF DELHI	456613
8	RAJASTHAN	1983634
9	UTTAR PRADESH	4856188
10	BIHAR	2238793
11	SIKKIM	13717
12	ARUNACHAL PRADESH	31787
13	NAGALAND	39496
14	MANIPUR	77990
15	MIZORAM	28569
16	TRIPURA	164969
17	MEGHALAYA	84825
18	ASSAM	1156042
19	WEST BENGAL	3792184
20	JHARKHAND	1027878
21	ODISHA	1612627
22	CHHATTISGARH	973787
23	MADHYA PRADESH	2160609
24	GUJARAT	2015742
25	DAMAN & DIU	6816
26	DADRA & NAGAR HAVELI	7378
27	MAHARASHTRA	4520764
28	ANDHRA PRADESH	4297481
29	KARNATAKA	2989429
30	GOA	77935
31	LAKSHADWEEP	2448
32	KERALA	2010984
33	TAMIL NADU	3856398
34	PUDUCHERRY	73579
35	ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS	12525
INDIA		43261478

 

This information was given by the Minister of Women and Child Development, SmritiZubinIrani, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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MM

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