Goa, July 22 -- During the Zero Hour in the Goa Assembly on Tuesday, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas launched a sharp critique of the state government over persistent delays in disbursing funds under major welfare schemes. He urged the government to compensate affected beneficiaries with interest if payments are not made on time.

Raising the issue in the House, Viegas pointed out that beneficiaries of schemes such as Laadli Laxmi, Griha Aadhar, Dayanand Social Security (DSS), Senior Citizens Pension, and the Sea Farers Welfare Scheme have not received payments for two to three months-or even longer in some cases. He stressed that these delays are particularly harming the elderly, women, and economically weaker families who depend on these fund...