Scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary and other Organizations Working for Scheduled Castes

Description
The prime objective of the "Scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary and other Organizations Working for Scheduled Castes" by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, is to enhance the reach of development interventions of the Government and fill the gaps in service-deficient Scheduled Caste dominant areas in sectors such as education, health, vocational training, etc., through the efforts of voluntary organizations and other organizations. This aims to provide an environment for the socio-economic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Castes SCs . Any other innovative activity with a direct impact on the socio-economic development or livelihood generation of SCs may also be considered through voluntary efforts.

Benefits
• Educational Initiatives: Opening of Hostels and Residential Schools, ITIs, Arts and Craft Centers, or Any Other Income Generating Scheme.
• Tuition Fee Support: Meeting the Cost of Tuition Fees for Training in Information Technology at Institutions of Repute Selected by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
• Childcare Services: Organizing Balwadies and Bal Kendras, i.e., Creches, to Look After the Deprived Children of Scheduled Castes.
• Healthcare Facilities: Providing Medical Facilities to Scheduled Castes through the Establishment of Hospitals or Mobile Dispensaries. For a ten-bed hospital, a visiting specialist (paediatrician/gynaecologist) is recommended. The maximum expenditure per month for this purpose will be restricted to ₹10,000, subject to payment of ₹1,000 per visit/day.
• Awareness and Support: Creating Awareness Regarding Government Programs and Facilities, and Providing Assistance and Guidance in Accessing Various Government Facilities like Legal Aid, Scholarships, Loans, Various Grants, and Client Services.
• Grievance Redressal: Providing Assistance for Grievance Redressal at Appropriate Judicial/Administrative Fora.
• Coaching and Advocacy: Coaching Centers for Various Entrance Examinations and Tests and Other Service-Related Competitive Examinations, which are not covered in the Coaching Scheme for Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes. Addressing Human Rights Issues, Environmental Issues, and Issues Related to the Protection of Consumers' Rights.
• NGO Capacity Building: Training of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Accounts, Management, and Application Procedures, etc.
• Related Activities: All Such and Related Activities that are in Harmony with the Objectives Listed Above.
• Accountancy Support: Accountancy for Maintenance of Accounts in MGNREGA and More.

Eligibility Criteria
1. > **For the Organization**
2. Registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (XXI of 1860) or any relevant State/Union Territory Act.
3. A public trust registered under the applicable law.
4. A charitable company licensed under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.
5. Indian Red Cross Society or its branches.
6. Any other public body or institution with legal status.
7. Voluntary organizations should have been registered for at least three years when applying for a grant under the scheme. However, the Secretary, of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment can waive this requirement in exceptional cases with written reasons.
8. The number of Scheduled Caste beneficiaries should be at least 60% in the case of voluntary organizations.
9. Other organizations or training institutions approved by the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
10. - Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/Voluntary Organizations (VOs) must have maintained and operated a bank account in the name of NGOs/VOs for the last three years.
11. - It should not operate for profit for any individual or body of individuals, except in the case of training institutions of repute.
12. <br>
13. > **The following criteria would be kept in view while selecting the new VOs/NGOs**
14. Experience of at least two years in the relevant field.
15. Aptitude and experience in welfare work pertaining to weaker sections.
16. The location of the Residential and non-residential School Projects proposed by the organization should be in:
17. - Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs); or
18. - Service Deficient blocks with 40% SC population; or
19. - Backward Districts identified by the Planning Commission or
20. - Integrated Action Plan Districts identified by the Govt. of India.
21. The Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs).
22. Financial viability of the organization to contribute its share and ability to continue the work for limited periods in the absence of assistance from the Ministry.
23. Good reputation and credentials.
24. Capability to mobilize the community.
25. Networking with other institutions for optimum utilization of resources allocated and assets created.

Application Process
Step 1: The organization shall submit the application in the prescribed format (Application-cum-Monitoring Form) following the procedure and guidelines provided by the Ministry.
Applications, for both ongoing and new cases, should be submitted by the orga…
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The organization shall submit the application in the prescribed format (Application-cum-Monitoring Form) following the procedure and guidelines provided by the Ministry.
Applications, for both ongoing and new cases, should be submitted by the organization to the Social Welfare Department or the department responsible for Scheduled Castes matters in the State/UT, preferably in the first quarter of the relevant financial year.
The State Government (State Social Welfare Department or the department dealing with Scheduled Caste matters) will verify the organization's genuineness and the project at the field level. Proposals are then presented before the multidisciplinary "State Grant-in-aid Committee" (State Committee).
The State Committee forwards its recommendations to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment by 30th April. The State Committee must provide reasons for recommending or rejecting the proposals.
If proposals or recommendations from the State Governments/UTs are not received within a reasonable period, the Ministry may obtain an inspection report from the National Scheduled Caste Finance Development Corporation (NSCFDC)/National Safai Karmachari Finance Development Corporation (NSKFDC)/Ambedkar Chairs under Dr. Ambedkar Foundation nearby or by deputing a suitable officer from the ministry for inspection.
No application will be accepted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment directly. All applications must be recommended by the State Committee or following the prescribed procedure.
State Government/UT Administrations, while forwarding the recommendations of the State Committee and the proposals of VOs/NGOs, should submit the required documents as per the provided checklist and Time Schedule, which is uploaded on the website.
The Ministry evaluates the received proposals and recommendations.
The Ministry follows procedures to issue a sanction order, transfer funds, and handle internal fund transfers.
Funds are allocated based on the accepted proposals and recommendations to facilitate projects related to Scheduled Castes.

Required Documents
• An application in the prescribed proforma with the required documents.
• Utilisation Certificate of the last released grant in the format prescribed under GFR-19A. Audited/Unaudited accounts for the previous year, indicating the expenditure incurred on each sanctioned item in comparison to the grant sanctioned.
• Budget Estimates for the financial year for which grant-in-aid is required.
• Annual Report providing performance data of the projects during the previous year. This condition does not apply to new proposals.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of maintaining a Register of Assets, and what items are included in this register?
A: The Register of Assets includes permanent assets like machinery and equipment costing Rs. 10,000 or more. It is maintained to track such assets' value, life, and acquisition cost.

Q: How are organizations' accounts monitored, and what is the scope of the audit process?
A: Accounts are subject to inspection by government-appointed officers and may be subject to test checks by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Q: Is there an agreement bond that organizations must sign when receiving grants, and what are the implications of this bond?
A: Organizations must execute an Agreement Bond committing them to comply with conditions in the sanction letter. Failure to do so may result in the need to refund the grant with interest as determined by the Government.

Q: What documents are required to be regularly submitted by organizations receiving grants, and at what intervals?
A: Organizations receiving grants must submit quarterly progress reports in July, October, January, and April. These reports provide performance data for the relevant periods.

Q: How are funds allocated, and what is the timeline for the submission of applications by organizations?
A: Funds are allocated based on approved proposals and recommendations. Applications should be submitted to State Committees in the first quarter of the financial year for consideration.

Q: What expenses are admissible under this scheme, and how flexible is the list of admissible items?
A: Admissible expenses include rent, equipment, staff honorarium, stipends, tuition fees, materials, stationery, contingencies, and more. The list is illustrative, and assistance may be provided for any other purpose connected to the scheme's activities.

Q: Could you clarify what is meant by "Related Activities" as mentioned in the scheme's benefits?
A: "Related Activities" include any initiatives that align with the scheme's objectives for the socio-economic development and livelihood generation of Scheduled Castes.

Q: What healthcare facilities are provided through this scheme, and what is the cost limit for certain services?
A: The scheme supports medical facilities, including hospitals and mobile dispensaries, with a cost limit of [?]10,000 per month for ten-bedded hospitals, subject to [?]1,000 per visit/day for visiting specialists.

Q: Can you explain the scope of educational initiatives covered by this scheme?
A: The scheme encompasses various educational initiatives like opening hostels, schools, vocational centers, tuition fee support, and training in Information Technology, specifically at approved institutions.

Q: Who is eligible to apply for grants under this scheme, and what conditions apply to voluntary organizations?
A: Eligible organizations include those registered under relevant laws, having at least 60% Scheduled Caste beneficiaries, and meeting specified criteria outlined by the Ministry.

Q: In what instances may organizations be required to refund a part of the grant they received?
A: Organizations may need to refund the grant with interest if they fail to abide by the conditions stipulated in the Agreement Bond.

Q: How is the second instalment released, and what are the requirements for this release?
A: The second instalment is released upon receiving the audited statement of accounts, a utilization certificate, and an inspection report, along with a recommendation from the State Committee.

Q: How are assets of permanent value, machinery, and equipment tracked by organizations receiving grants?
A: Organizations maintain a Register of Assets as prescribed under GFR, listing items costing Rs. 10,000 or more and with a life of at least 5 years.

Q: How are funds allocated based on the accepted proposals, and what criteria are considered in this allocation?
A: Funds are allocated as per approved proposals and recommendations, with considerations like the project's feasibility and alignment with the scheme's objectives.