Can Divorced Daughters Inherit Father's Pension? Govt's Surprising Move!

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In a significant stride towards gender equality, the Central government has introduced a comprehensive set of reforms aimed at empowering women in various aspects of life. The reforms, spearheaded by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), are designed to provide financial security, enhance workplace benefits and promote women's participation in governance. A key aspect of the reforms is the amendment to pension rules, which now allows divorced or separated women to claim their deceased father's pension without having to navigate a lengthy legal process. This move is expected to provide significant financial relief to women facing difficult circumstances.

Workplace Reforms: Enhancing Support for Working Women

Flexible Leave Policies: The DoPT has introduced measures to create a more supportive work environment for women. This includes enhanced flexibility in Child Care Leave (CCL), allowing single mothers to avail of up to two years of leave in a phased manner.

Expanded Maternity Benefits: Additionally, maternity benefits have been expanded to include paid leave provisions for women who experience a miscarriage or stillbirth, ensuring they receive adequate recovery time and support.

Other Benefits: Promoting Women's Empowerment

Financial Security for Widows: A childless widow can now remarry and continue receiving her deceased husband's pension or family pension, provided her income remains below the minimum pension threshold.

Nominating Beneficiaries: Furthermore, a woman pensioner can now nominate her children for family pension over her husband if she has initiated divorce proceedings or filed cases under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act or the Dowry Prohibition Act.

In addition to these reforms, the government has also launched initiatives to promote women's participation in governance and economic activities. This includes the establishment of working women's hostels and crèches in government offices, increased market access for women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and modernization of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to equip women with skills for leadership roles in the digital economy and scientific research.

These landmark reforms demonstrate the government's commitment to elevating women's empowerment and promoting gender equality. By providing financial security, enhancing workplace benefits and encouraging women's participation in governance, the government is taking significant steps towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for women.