Student Housing Scheme for Students with Disabilities

Description
The scheme "Student Housing Scheme for Students with Disabilities" was launched by the Social Welfare Department, Government of Chhattisgarh. Under this scheme, there is a provision to provide free housing facilities to a group of 5 disabled students, to motivate them for higher education, by providing accommodations to them. The accommodations are provided at a rental building. The group of disabled students of the state will be able to avail the benefit of hostels for studying in the other states of the country also.

Benefits
• Free facility of accommodation to 01 or more than 01 (group of maximum 05 children) within the fixed rate of rent at the rate prescribed by the Rent Control Authority.
• The maximum monthly rent amount of the building including electricity and other expenses is determined for the following category of cities-
• For A category cities, up to ₹10,000/- will be payable.
• For B category cities, up to ₹7,000/- will be payable.
• For C category cities, up to ₹5,000/- will be payable.
• **Note:** The amount will be paid directly into the landlord's account through NEFT/RTGS/DBT as far as possible.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant should be a resident of Chhattisgarh.
2. The applicant should be a student with disabilities.
3. The applicant should have a disability of 40% or above.
4. The applicant should have passed the Higher Secondary Examination.
5. The applicant should be enrolled as a regular student in a College, Polytechnic, or ITI (students failing in any academic session will not be eligible).
6. The distance between the applicant's original residence and the educational institution should be more than 20 kilometers.

Required Documents
• Passport-size photograph
• Identity proof i.e. Aadhaar card
• Educational qualification certificates
• Disability certificate
• Certificate regarding studying as regular students in the college (Issued by the Principal/Head of the Institution of the concerned College/Polytechnic/ITI)
• A certificate from the Sarpanch, Panch, or Councilor confirming that the original residence is 20 kilometers or more from the college
• Any other documents as required

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible to benefit from this scheme?
A: Eligible students must be residents of Chhattisgarh, have a disability of 40% or more, have passed the Higher Secondary Examination, be enrolled as regular students in a College, Polytechnic, or ITI, and live more than 20 kilometers from their educational institution.

Q: What are the benefits provided under this scheme?
A: The scheme provides free accommodation to the group of students within the fixed rent rates prescribed for different city categories: up to [?]10,000/- for A category cities, up to [?]7,000/- for B category cities, and up to [?]5,000/- for C category cities.

Q: How are payments made to the landlords?
A: Payments are made directly into the landlord's account through NEFT/RTGS/DBT as far as possible.

Q: How should the distance verification certificate be obtained?
A: The distance verification certificate should be issued by the respective Sarpanch, Panch, or the Council of the Municipal Corporation, Municipality, or Nagar Panchayat.

Q: Where should the completed application be submitted?
A: The completed application should be submitted to the District Office of the Joint/Deputy Director of Social Welfare.

Q: How often should applications be submitted?
A: Applications should be submitted annually.

Q: What is the process after submitting the application?
A: The Joint/Deputy Director will review and either approve or reject the application with reasons. The Collector's approval is also required. Applicants will be notified of the decision within 30 days.

Q: What if the accommodation is not verified or students are involved in unlawful activities?
A: The accommodation will be verified monthly, and the landlord must certify that the students are residing there and not engaged in unlawful activities.

Q: What if a student fails to stay in the accommodation for two consecutive months?
A: The approval will be canceled if a student fails to reside in the accommodation for two consecutive months. They will need to reapply with a valid reason to regain approval.

Q: Can students apply for this scheme if they are studying outside Chhattisgarh?
A: Yes, students from Chhattisgarh can avail of the scheme for accommodations in other states as well.

Q: What is the role of the Joint/Deputy Director of Social Welfare in the scheme?
A: The Joint/Deputy Director reviews applications, approves or rejects them, seeks the Collector's approval, and oversees the implementation and monitoring of the scheme.