New guidelines make 24.10 pc scheme civic worker friendly

The State government has come up with new guidelines for 24.10 per cent scheme, which earmarks funds for the welfare of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe in urban local bodies (ULBs) and has issued a circular. 

With the new changes the scheme will be friendly towards civic workers of ULBs. Earlier, the government used to provide financial assistance of up to Rs 50,000 for the poor families belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to purchase sites. But now it has been increased to Rs 3,50,000 and the financial assistance to build houses has been increased from Rs 70,000 to Rs 1,00,000. The government also gives financial assistance up to Rs 20,000 for the house repair.

For small businessmen, there is a provision to provide 50 per cent of the project cost or Rs 1.50 lakh, whichever is lesser as against the earlier amount of Rs 50,000. 

For the purchase of industrial sites or industries in government industrial zones, the government can provide financial assistance of up to Rs one lakh. Financial assistance will be given under Yashaswini scheme in recognized hospitals. Earlier, the government mentioned that the benefit can be availed only once, but there is no limitation as such in the new circular. 

The SC/ST students, from SSLC to post graduation or any professional courses with a family income less than Rs 2.50 lakh per annum will get scholarship. For competitive exam fees or to purchases laptop, a student can get up to Rs 50,000 as against the earlier amount of Rs 25,000. For the individual medical practitioners (Allopathic/Ayurveda/ Homeopathy/ Unani/ Sidda/ Naturopathy or Yoga), the government will give assistance up to Rs 50,000, which was earlier limited only for Allopathic practitioners and maximum assistance was Rs 10,000. 

The government can give up to Rs 10,000 for septic toilets and Rs 5,000 for toilet with underground drainage (UGD) connection. The government will continue its support to skill development programmes and assistance for those who participate in state or National-level sports, arts and cultural activities. SC/ST families can also get LPG connections through the project. Along with this scheme, 7.25 per cent scheme (welfare of poor-other than SC/ST) and 3 per cent scheme (welfare of disabled) explained, Social Welfare Officer Chittaranjan Das. 

Benefits to civic workersMangalore City Corporation Deputy Commissioner (Administration) Gokuldas Naik said, as per the new guidelines, the income limit will not apply to the permanent SC/ST employees and civic workers working in ULBs on contract basis. So, most of the civic workers fall under the eligibility criteria. The individual benefits have been increased. Regulations have been relaxed on many benefits so that they can reach out to more number of people, he stated.