Sports & Culture
Active
Seva Bhoj Yojna
Ministry Of Culture
Last updated:
Key dates and updates
Important milestones for this scheme. Use official links to verify before you apply.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Scheme launch |
Overview
The scheme “Seva Bhoj Yojna” was launched by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and it has been made operational with effect from the 1st of August, 2018. The scheme shall be applicable within the territorial jurisdiction of India and will remain open from the 1st to 15th of every month.
Details
Description
The scheme “Seva Bhoj Yojna” was launched by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and it has been made operational with effect from the 1st of August, 2018. The Scheme shall be applicable within the territorial jurisdiction of India. The Scheme will remain open from the 1st to the 15th of every month. Thereafter, the scrutiny of the applications received will be carried out by a duly constituted committee on a monthly basis. Objective: Under the Scheme of ‘Seva Bhoj Yojna’ Central Goods and Services Tax CGST and Central Government’s share of Integrated Goods and Services Tax IGST paid on purchase of specific raw food items by Charitable/Religious Institutions like Gurudwaras, Temples, Dharmik Ashrams, Mosques, Dargahs, Churches, Math, Monasteries, etc. for distributing free food to public shall be reimbursed as Financial Assistance by the Government of India. Scope: This is a Central Sector Scheme for providing reimbursement of CGST and the Central Government’s share of IGST paid by charitable/religious institutions on the purchase of specific raw food items for serving free food to the public/devotees. The scheme shall be applicable only to such institutions which are eligible under the Scheme. Type of Activities Supported Under the Scheme: Free ‘Prasad’ or free food or free ‘Langar’/‘Bhandara’ community kitchen offered by charitable/religious institutions like Gurudwara, Temples, Dharmik Ashram, Mosques, Dargah, Church, Math, Monasteries, etc. Financial assistance will be provided on First-cum-First Serve basis of registration linked to funds available for the purpose in a financial year. Outcome of the Scheme: A Performance-cum-Achievement Report on the activity undertaken will be submitted in triplicate by the beneficiary institutions, at the beginning of the next financial year, to the Ministry as per the following format: - Location of Free Food Services: - Cost of the Food items excluding GST: - GST levied: Total GST paid CGST, SGST/UTGST, IGST, and amount of Financial Assistance released by the ministry: - No. of days Free food was provided in a calendar month month-wise - No. of persons who were provided Free Food in a calendar month month-wise - At least 12 photographs taken on a monthly basis of Free Food Services: Release of Funds Under the Scheme: The funds will be released to the institutions as per the claims verified and passed by the GST authorities. The Refund Sanction Order will be issued by the GST Authority. Inspection And Monitoring: The inspection would be carried out by Ministry officials or its authorized representatives every year at least in 5% of the cases. The concerned State Govt./UTs Administration, District Collector/Dy. Commissioner and State GST authorities will also monitor the scheme. The Institutions /Organizations shall maintain separate accounts for the assistance received from the Ministry of Culture and these will be subject to inspection/audit by the officers of the Ministry or any other agency designated by the Ministry Penalties in Case of Misuse of Assistance/Grant: The members of the executive body of the entity /institution would be liable for the recovery of misused grants. The organization /institution will also be blacklisted for misuse of funds, fake registration certificate, fake documents, etc. All immovable and movable assets created from the Government grants would be taken over by local administration prescribed by the Ministry. The assistance provided by the Ministry of Culture shall be recovered with penal interest, apart from taking criminal action as per law.
Exclusions
• The Institution/Organization blacklisted under the provisions of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) or the provisions of any Act/Rules of the Central/State Government shall not be eligible for financial assistance under the Scheme.
Benefits
• Ghee
• Edible oil
• Sugar / Burra / Jaggery
• Rice
• Atta / Maida / Rava /Flour
• Pulses
Eligibility Criteria
1. A Public Trust or society or body corporate or organization, or institution covered under the provisions of section 10 (23BBA) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (as amended from time to time) or registered under the provisions of section 12AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961, for charitable/religious purposes, or a company formed and registered under the provisions of section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 or section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, as the case may be, for charitable/ religious purposes or a Public Trust registered as such for charitable/religious purposes under any Law for the time being in force, or a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, for charitable/religious purposes.
2. The applicant Public Trust or society or body corporate, or organization or institution, as the case may be, must be involved in charitable/religious activities by way of free and philanthropic distribution of food/prasad/langar (Community Kitchen)/ bhandara free of cost and without discrimination through the modus of public, charitable/religious trusts or endowments including maths, Temples, Gurdwaras, Wakfs, Churches, Synagogues, Agiaries or other places of public religious worship.
3. The institutions/organizations should have been in existence for the preceding three years before applying for assistance.
4. Only those institutions would be eligible for financial assistance which has been distributing free food, Langar, and Prasad to the public for at least the past three years on the day of application. For this purpose, entities shall furnish a self-certificate.
5. Financial assistance under the scheme shall be given only to those institutions which are not in receipt of any financial assistance from the Central/State Government for the purpose of distributing free food.
6. The institutions shall serve free food to at least 5000 people in a calendar month.
Required Documents
• Copy of the valid Registration Certificate
• Copy of Memorandum of Association/Article of Association/Charter of Activities of the organization.
• Copies of Audited Accounts for the last three years.
• Copies of the Annual Report, if any, for the last three years.
• List of Office Bearers/Governing Body of the Institution.
• Name of the authorized signatory who will sign all documents with contact details and E-mail ID.
• Self-certificate indicating that the institution is distributing free food for at least the past three years on the day of application and providing free food to at least 5000 people in a month.
• Certificate from District Magistrate indicating that the institution is involved in charitable/religious activities and is distributing free food to the public/devotees etc. for the last three years at least on a daily/monthly basis.
• PAN/ TAN Number of the institution/ organization.
• List of locations where free food is being distributed by the institution.
• Number of persons being served free food by the Institution in the previous year – self-declaration.
• Bank Authorization Letter as per prescribed format.
• Invoices issued by the suppliers for the purchases of specified items
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the objective of the scheme?
A: Under the Scheme, Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Central Government's share of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) paid on purchase of specific raw food items by Charitable/Religious Institutions like Gurudwaras, Temples, Dharmik Ashrams, Mosques, Dargahs, Churches, Math, Monasteries, etc. for distributing free food to public shall be reimbursed as Financial Assistance by the Government of India.
Q: Which ministry has started the scheme?
A: Ministry of Culture, Government of India
Q: Is this Central Sector Scheme?
A: Yes, this is a Central Sector Scheme.
Q: When was this scheme launched?
A: The Scheme has been made operational with effect from the 1st of August, 2018.
Q: What is the scope of the scheme?
A: This is a Central Sector Scheme for providing reimbursement of CGST and the Central Government's share of IGST paid by charitable/religious institutions on the purchase of specific raw food items for serving free food to the public/devotees. The scheme shall be applicable only to such institutions which are eligible under the Scheme.
Q: What are the types of activities supported under the Scheme?
A: Free 'Prasad' or free food or free 'Langar'/'Bhandara' (community kitchen) offered by charitable/religious institutions like Gurudwara, Temples, Dharmik Ashram, Mosques, Dargah, Church, Math, Monasteries, etc.
Q: What are the benefits of the scheme?
A: Financial assistance in the form of reimbursement shall be provided to the institution that has already paid GST on all or any of the raw food items such as Ghee, Edible oil, Sugar/Burra/Jaggery, Rice, Atta /Maida/Rava /Flour, Pulses.
Q: What is the creation of providing financial assistance?
A: Financial assistance will be provided on First-cum-First Serve basis of registration linked to funds available for the purpose in a financial year.
Q: Which Institutions/organizations are eligible for this scheme?
A: A Public Trust or society or body corporate or organization, or institution covered under the provisions of section 10 (23BBA) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (as amended from time to time) or registered under the provisions of section 12AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961, for charitable/ religious purposes, or a company formed and registered under the provisions of section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 or section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, as the case may be, for charitable/ religious purposes or a Public Trust registered as such for charitable/religious purposes under any Law for the time being in force, or a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, for charitable/religious purposes.
Q: How old should an institution be to apply for the scheme?
A: The institutions/organizations should have been in existence for the preceding three years before applying for assistance.
Q: How many people have to be given free food in a calendar month?
A: The institutions shall serve free food to at least 5000 people in a calendar month.
Q: How can an institution apply under the scheme?
A: Charitable/Religious Institutions shall first register with the Darpan Portal of NITI Aayog and get a Unique ID generated by Darpan Portal (if not already obtained). Thereafter, the institution shall enroll itself in the CSMS Portal on the Ministry of in a prescribed format. Thereafter, the Charitable/Religious Institution shall apply 'online' in the prescribed application form and upload the required documents as listed below in the CSMS Portal of the Ministry of Culture's website: www.indiaculture.nic.in
The scheme “Seva Bhoj Yojna” was launched by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and it has been made operational with effect from the 1st of August, 2018. The Scheme shall be applicable within the territorial jurisdiction of India. The Scheme will remain open from the 1st to the 15th of every month. Thereafter, the scrutiny of the applications received will be carried out by a duly constituted committee on a monthly basis. Objective: Under the Scheme of ‘Seva Bhoj Yojna’ Central Goods and Services Tax CGST and Central Government’s share of Integrated Goods and Services Tax IGST paid on purchase of specific raw food items by Charitable/Religious Institutions like Gurudwaras, Temples, Dharmik Ashrams, Mosques, Dargahs, Churches, Math, Monasteries, etc. for distributing free food to public shall be reimbursed as Financial Assistance by the Government of India. Scope: This is a Central Sector Scheme for providing reimbursement of CGST and the Central Government’s share of IGST paid by charitable/religious institutions on the purchase of specific raw food items for serving free food to the public/devotees. The scheme shall be applicable only to such institutions which are eligible under the Scheme. Type of Activities Supported Under the Scheme: Free ‘Prasad’ or free food or free ‘Langar’/‘Bhandara’ community kitchen offered by charitable/religious institutions like Gurudwara, Temples, Dharmik Ashram, Mosques, Dargah, Church, Math, Monasteries, etc. Financial assistance will be provided on First-cum-First Serve basis of registration linked to funds available for the purpose in a financial year. Outcome of the Scheme: A Performance-cum-Achievement Report on the activity undertaken will be submitted in triplicate by the beneficiary institutions, at the beginning of the next financial year, to the Ministry as per the following format: - Location of Free Food Services: - Cost of the Food items excluding GST: - GST levied: Total GST paid CGST, SGST/UTGST, IGST, and amount of Financial Assistance released by the ministry: - No. of days Free food was provided in a calendar month month-wise - No. of persons who were provided Free Food in a calendar month month-wise - At least 12 photographs taken on a monthly basis of Free Food Services: Release of Funds Under the Scheme: The funds will be released to the institutions as per the claims verified and passed by the GST authorities. The Refund Sanction Order will be issued by the GST Authority. Inspection And Monitoring: The inspection would be carried out by Ministry officials or its authorized representatives every year at least in 5% of the cases. The concerned State Govt./UTs Administration, District Collector/Dy. Commissioner and State GST authorities will also monitor the scheme. The Institutions /Organizations shall maintain separate accounts for the assistance received from the Ministry of Culture and these will be subject to inspection/audit by the officers of the Ministry or any other agency designated by the Ministry Penalties in Case of Misuse of Assistance/Grant: The members of the executive body of the entity /institution would be liable for the recovery of misused grants. The organization /institution will also be blacklisted for misuse of funds, fake registration certificate, fake documents, etc. All immovable and movable assets created from the Government grants would be taken over by local administration prescribed by the Ministry. The assistance provided by the Ministry of Culture shall be recovered with penal interest, apart from taking criminal action as per law.
Exclusions
• The Institution/Organization blacklisted under the provisions of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) or the provisions of any Act/Rules of the Central/State Government shall not be eligible for financial assistance under the Scheme.
Benefits
• Ghee
• Edible oil
• Sugar / Burra / Jaggery
• Rice
• Atta / Maida / Rava /Flour
• Pulses
Eligibility Criteria
1. A Public Trust or society or body corporate or organization, or institution covered under the provisions of section 10 (23BBA) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (as amended from time to time) or registered under the provisions of section 12AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961, for charitable/religious purposes, or a company formed and registered under the provisions of section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 or section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, as the case may be, for charitable/ religious purposes or a Public Trust registered as such for charitable/religious purposes under any Law for the time being in force, or a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, for charitable/religious purposes.
2. The applicant Public Trust or society or body corporate, or organization or institution, as the case may be, must be involved in charitable/religious activities by way of free and philanthropic distribution of food/prasad/langar (Community Kitchen)/ bhandara free of cost and without discrimination through the modus of public, charitable/religious trusts or endowments including maths, Temples, Gurdwaras, Wakfs, Churches, Synagogues, Agiaries or other places of public religious worship.
3. The institutions/organizations should have been in existence for the preceding three years before applying for assistance.
4. Only those institutions would be eligible for financial assistance which has been distributing free food, Langar, and Prasad to the public for at least the past three years on the day of application. For this purpose, entities shall furnish a self-certificate.
5. Financial assistance under the scheme shall be given only to those institutions which are not in receipt of any financial assistance from the Central/State Government for the purpose of distributing free food.
6. The institutions shall serve free food to at least 5000 people in a calendar month.
Required Documents
• Copy of the valid Registration Certificate
• Copy of Memorandum of Association/Article of Association/Charter of Activities of the organization.
• Copies of Audited Accounts for the last three years.
• Copies of the Annual Report, if any, for the last three years.
• List of Office Bearers/Governing Body of the Institution.
• Name of the authorized signatory who will sign all documents with contact details and E-mail ID.
• Self-certificate indicating that the institution is distributing free food for at least the past three years on the day of application and providing free food to at least 5000 people in a month.
• Certificate from District Magistrate indicating that the institution is involved in charitable/religious activities and is distributing free food to the public/devotees etc. for the last three years at least on a daily/monthly basis.
• PAN/ TAN Number of the institution/ organization.
• List of locations where free food is being distributed by the institution.
• Number of persons being served free food by the Institution in the previous year – self-declaration.
• Bank Authorization Letter as per prescribed format.
• Invoices issued by the suppliers for the purchases of specified items
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the objective of the scheme?
A: Under the Scheme, Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Central Government's share of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) paid on purchase of specific raw food items by Charitable/Religious Institutions like Gurudwaras, Temples, Dharmik Ashrams, Mosques, Dargahs, Churches, Math, Monasteries, etc. for distributing free food to public shall be reimbursed as Financial Assistance by the Government of India.
Q: Which ministry has started the scheme?
A: Ministry of Culture, Government of India
Q: Is this Central Sector Scheme?
A: Yes, this is a Central Sector Scheme.
Q: When was this scheme launched?
A: The Scheme has been made operational with effect from the 1st of August, 2018.
Q: What is the scope of the scheme?
A: This is a Central Sector Scheme for providing reimbursement of CGST and the Central Government's share of IGST paid by charitable/religious institutions on the purchase of specific raw food items for serving free food to the public/devotees. The scheme shall be applicable only to such institutions which are eligible under the Scheme.
Q: What are the types of activities supported under the Scheme?
A: Free 'Prasad' or free food or free 'Langar'/'Bhandara' (community kitchen) offered by charitable/religious institutions like Gurudwara, Temples, Dharmik Ashram, Mosques, Dargah, Church, Math, Monasteries, etc.
Q: What are the benefits of the scheme?
A: Financial assistance in the form of reimbursement shall be provided to the institution that has already paid GST on all or any of the raw food items such as Ghee, Edible oil, Sugar/Burra/Jaggery, Rice, Atta /Maida/Rava /Flour, Pulses.
Q: What is the creation of providing financial assistance?
A: Financial assistance will be provided on First-cum-First Serve basis of registration linked to funds available for the purpose in a financial year.
Q: Which Institutions/organizations are eligible for this scheme?
A: A Public Trust or society or body corporate or organization, or institution covered under the provisions of section 10 (23BBA) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (as amended from time to time) or registered under the provisions of section 12AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961, for charitable/ religious purposes, or a company formed and registered under the provisions of section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 or section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, as the case may be, for charitable/ religious purposes or a Public Trust registered as such for charitable/religious purposes under any Law for the time being in force, or a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, for charitable/religious purposes.
Q: How old should an institution be to apply for the scheme?
A: The institutions/organizations should have been in existence for the preceding three years before applying for assistance.
Q: How many people have to be given free food in a calendar month?
A: The institutions shall serve free food to at least 5000 people in a calendar month.
Q: How can an institution apply under the scheme?
A: Charitable/Religious Institutions shall first register with the Darpan Portal of NITI Aayog and get a Unique ID generated by Darpan Portal (if not already obtained). Thereafter, the institution shall enroll itself in the CSMS Portal on the Ministry of in a prescribed format. Thereafter, the Charitable/Religious Institution shall apply 'online' in the prescribed application form and upload the required documents as listed below in the CSMS Portal of the Ministry of Culture's website: www.indiaculture.nic.in
Eligibility Criteria
1
A Public Trust or society or body corporate or organization, or institution covered under the provisions of section 10 (23BBA) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (as amended from time to time) or registered under the provisions of section 12AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961, for charitable/religious purposes, or a company formed and registered under the provisions of section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 or section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, as the case may be, for charitable/ religious purposes or a Public Trust registered as such for charitable/religious purposes under any Law for the time being in force, or a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, for charitable/religious purposes.
2
The applicant Public Trust or society or body corporate, or organization or institution, as the case may be, must be involved in charitable/religious activities by way of free and philanthropic distribution of food/prasad/langar (Community Kitchen)/ bhandara free of cost and without discrimination through the modus of public, charitable/religious trusts or endowments including maths, Temples, Gurdwaras, Wakfs, Churches, Synagogues, Agiaries or other places of public religious worship.
3
The institutions/organizations should have been in existence for the preceding three years before applying for assistance.
4
Only those institutions would be eligible for financial assistance which has been distributing free food, Langar, and Prasad to the public for at least the past three years on the day of application. For this purpose, entities shall furnish a self-certificate.
5
Financial assistance under the scheme shall be given only to those institutions which are not in receipt of any financial assistance from the Central/State Government for the purpose of distributing free food.
6
The institutions shall serve free food to at least 5000 people in a calendar month.
Benefits
Ghee
Edible oil
Sugar / Burra / Jaggery
Rice
Atta / Maida / Rava /Flour
Pulses
Required Documents
| # | Document |
|---|---|
| 1 | Copy of the valid Registration Certificate |
| 2 | Copy of Memorandum of Association/Article of Association/Charter of Activities of the organization. |
| 3 | Copies of Audited Accounts for the last three years. |
| 4 | Copies of the Annual Report, if any, for the last three years. |
| 5 | List of Office Bearers/Governing Body of the Institution. |
| 6 | Name of the authorized signatory who will sign all documents with contact details and E-mail ID. |
| 7 | Self-certificate indicating that the institution is distributing free food for at least the past three years on the day of application and providing free food to at least 5000 people in a month. |
| 8 | Certificate from District Magistrate indicating that the institution is involved in charitable/religious activities and is distributing free food to the public/devotees etc. for the last three years at least on a daily/monthly basis. |
| 9 | PAN/ TAN Number of the institution/ organization. |
| 10 | List of locations where free food is being distributed by the institution. |
| 11 | Number of persons being served free food by the Institution in the previous year – self-declaration. |
| 12 | Bank Authorization Letter as per prescribed format. |
| 13 | Invoices issued by the suppliers for the purchases of specified items |
Frequently Asked Questions
Under the Scheme, Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Central Government's share of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) paid on purchase of specific raw food items by Charitable/Religious Institutions like Gurudwaras, Temples, Dharmik Ashrams, Mosques, Dargahs, Churches, Math, Monasteries, etc. for distributing free food to public shall be reimbursed as Financial Assistance by the Government of India.
Sources and references
Related Schemes
Award Of Scholarships To Young Artists In Different Cultural Fields
Sports & Culture · All India
Bima Yojana - Direct Benefit to Artisan
Sports & Culture · All India
Cultural Function And Production Grant Scheme
Sports & Culture · All India
Financial Assistance For Allied Cultural Activities
Sports & Culture · All India
Financial Assistance For Cultural Activities In Performing Arts For Building Grants Including Studio Theatres
Sports & Culture · All India
Financial Assistance For Development Of Buddhist/Tibetan Arts And Culture
Sports & Culture · All India
Financial Assistance For Promotion Of Guru-Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant)
Sports & Culture · All India
Financial Assistance To Cultural Organizations With National Presence
Sports & Culture · All India
National Handicrafts Development Programme: Direct Benefit to Artisans - Supports to Artisans in Indigent Circumstances
Sports & Culture · All India
National Handicrafts Development Programme: Research & Development Scheme
Sports & Culture · All India
National Service Scheme
Sports & Culture · All India
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar
Sports & Culture · All India
Scheme For Arjuna Awards For Outstanding Performance In Sports And Games
Sports & Culture · All India
Scheme For Award Of Senior/Junior Fellowships To Outstanding Persons In The Fields Of Culture
Sports & Culture · All India
Scheme For Financial Assistance For Veteran Artists
Sports & Culture · All India
Scheme Of Financial Assistance For The Preservation And Development Of Cultural Heritage Of The Himalayas
Sports & Culture · All India
Scheme of Cash Incentive to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches
Sports & Culture · All India
Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award
Sports & Culture · All India
Adivasi Sanskriti Evam Kala Kendra/Majhi Bhavan, Manki Munda Bhavan, Parha Bhavan, Pargana Bhavan, Dumkuria Bhavan Evam Gosade Nirman Tatha Majhi Than Shed Nirman Yojana
Sports & Culture · 1 states
Akhil Bharatiya Civil Services Pratiyogita
Sports & Culture · 1 states
All Goa One-Act Play Competition in Konkani
Sports & Culture · 1 states
Ambubhai Purani Award
Sports & Culture · 1 states
Appointment of Contract Sports Coaches
Sports & Culture · 1 states
Art Exhibition Assistance in the State
Sports & Culture · 1 states
Artist Honor (Gaurav Award)
Sports & Culture · 1 states
Assistance for Exhibitions Abroad and Out of State
Sports & Culture · 1 states
Assistance for Purchase of Spectacles - Folk Artists
Sports & Culture · 1 states
Assistance for Purchase of Traditional Musical Instruments and Costumes for Scheduled Caste/Tribe Individuals
Sports & Culture · 1 states
Assistance to Trusts/Institutions for Setting Up Cultural Centers/Auditoriums in the Municipal Area
Sports & Culture · 1 states
Assistance to Women for Trainer and Coaches Training Course
Sports & Culture · 1 states