Mumbai: Accepting the recommendations of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW), the state government has decided to register the 7/12 extracts of land in the name of the widows of the farmers, who have committed suicide. The government has also decided that in case there are some difficulties to transfer the title in the name of the widows, they would be entitled to a house under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana. The government notified its resolution, earlier this week. The resolution accepts the recommendations made by the MSCW, which had organised a two-day conference for these widows and had studied the issues faced by these women.
Accordingly, the government has resolved to transfer the land’s title (7/12) in the name of the farmer’s widows. “If the land cannot be transferred in the name of the farmer’s widows then they would be eligible for land under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana,” the resolution states. The government has further decided to give first preference to these widows in cases of dividing estates and also for providing financial aid for the marriage of their daughters. These women will also be made aware of their rights, states the resolution. As far as the education is concerned, the government has resolved to form special policies for the education of children of the farmer’s widows so as to redress problems regarding their school fees. It has also decided to provide a health card to these widows for availing medical facilities.
The daughters of these widows would also be given preference in government jobs and in case they face difficulties in their marital life, they would be assisted by district officials to participate in women’s savings groups and other modes for self-employment, sponsored by the government. The government would soon be launching a helpline to support the farmers in distress and also their families. It would also give first preference to the families of a deceased farmer in providing jobs under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).