Grant-in-Aid Scheme to Provide Financial Assistance to the Mahila Mandals

Description
Launched in 2009, the scheme "Grant-in-Aid Scheme to Provide Financial Assistance to the Mahila Mandals" by the Directorate of Women & Child Development, Government of Goa, aims to provide financial assistance to Mahila Mandals for training and orientation programs to generate self-employment opportunities for women. The scheme encourages socio-educational activities and strengthens the functioning of Mahila Mandals. Eligible Mahila Mandals must be registered and operational for at least two years within the state of Goa. The scheme is implemented by the Child Development Project Officer CDPO of the respective block, who ensures effective implementation and monitoring of the program.

Benefits
• Financial Assistance
• An annual grant of ₹5,000/- is provided to registered Mahila Mandals for successful functioning in Goa.
• A financial assistance of ₹2,000/- is sanctioned per course for the purchase of raw materials to conduct self-employment activities.
• Resource persons may be provided by the Directorate for each course of activity through CDPOs.
• Conditions
• Financial assistance is sanctioned on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to government decision.
• Each Mahila Mandal can opt for only one training program at a time.
• Training duration should not be less than 4 hours per day for a course lasting 5 to 15 days.
• Regular attendance of participants must be maintained.

Eligibility Criteria
1. - The Mahila Mandal must have valid registration with the competent authority.
2. - The Mahila Mandal must have been operating successfully within the state of Goa for the last 2 years.
3. - Each group must submit a project report specifying the activities/training and a list of prospective beneficiaries with educational details.
4. - There must be a minimum of 20 members for training/orientation.
5. _*The government may relax any provision of the scheme at its discretion._
6. _*No additional liability for house rent, electricity bills, or water bills will be borne by the government under the scheme._

Application Process
Step 1: The application should be submitted through the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of the concerned block. The Mukhya Sevika at the village level of the respective block will assist the Mahila Mandal in the submission process.
Post-Applicati…
Offline

The application should be submitted through the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of the concerned block. The Mukhya Sevika at the village level of the respective block will assist the Mahila Mandal in the submission process.
Post-Application Processes
Review and Sanction: The CDPO will review the application and forward it to the Directorate of Women & Child Development. Financial assistance will be sanctioned on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to government approval.
Conduction of Training Program: Once the financial assistance is sanctioned, the Mahila Mandal can conduct the training program. The date, time, and place of the training program must be fixed and informed to the Directorate of Women & Child Development before commencement.
Submission of Utilization Certificate: After the completion of the training program, the Mahila Mandal must submit the utilization certificate within one week. The CDPO will counter-sign the utilization certificate and forward it to the Director.
Monitoring and Reporting
The CDPO will submit monthly progress reports to the Directorate. A review of the scheme's implementation will be conducted in the monthly meeting at the Directorate.

Required Documents
• Copy of Registration Certificate.
• Last Two Years' Statement of Accounts.
• Project Report Specifying the Activities/training and List of Prospective Beneficiaries.
• Detailed List of Beneficiaries (Annexure II).

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the annual financial assistance provided to registered Mahila Mandals under this scheme?
A: Registered Mahila Mandals are provided an annual grant of [?]5,000/- for successful functioning in Goa.

Q: How much financial assistance is provided for self-employment activity training?
A: A financial assistance of [?]2,000/- is sanctioned per course for the purchase of raw materials for self-employment activities.

Q: Are resource persons provided for training programs under this scheme?
A: Yes, resource persons may be provided by the Directorate for each course of activity through the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO).

Q: What is the process for submitting utilization certificates after the training program?
A: Utilization certificates must be submitted to the CDPO for counter-signature within one week after the completion of the training program.

Q: Is financial assistance provided on a first-come, first-served basis?
A: Yes, financial assistance is sanctioned on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to government approval.

Q: How many training programs can a Mahila Mandal opt for at a time?
A: Each Mahila Mandal can opt for only one training program at a time.

Q: What is the minimum duration of training required under this scheme?
A: The training duration should not be less than 4 hours per day for a course lasting 5 to 15 days.

Q: What happens if the utilization certificate is not submitted on time?
A: If the utilization certificate is not submitted within one week after the training, no further grants will be sanctioned.

Q: What are the eligibility criteria for Mahila Mandals to apply for this scheme?
A: Mahila Mandals must have valid registration with the competent authority and must have been operating successfully in Goa for the last 2 years.

Q: Is there a minimum number of members required for training under this scheme?
A: Yes, there must be a minimum of 20 members for training or orientation programs.

Q: What documents are required to apply for financial assistance under this scheme?
A: The required documents include a copy of the registration certificate, the last two years' statement of accounts, a project report, and a detailed list of beneficiaries.

Q: Are house rent, electricity, or water bills covered under this scheme?
A: No, the government will not bear any additional liability for house rent, electricity bills, or water bills under this scheme.

Q: Who is responsible for implementing the scheme at the block level?
A: The Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of the respective block is responsible for implementing the scheme.

Q: What is the role of the Mukhya Sevika in the application process?
A: The Mukhya Sevika at the village level assists in the submission of the application to the CDPO of the concerned block.