The “Scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary and Other Organizations Working for Scheduled Castes” is an initiative by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. Its primary objective is to enhance the reach of government development interventions and address service deficiencies in Scheduled Caste–dominant areas. This is achieved by supporting voluntary organizations, public trusts, charitable companies, and other bodies working in sectors such as education, health, vocational training, and livelihood generation. The scheme also considers innovative activities that have a direct impact on the socio-economic development and livelihood of Scheduled Castes (SCs).
Benefits
Organizations may receive grants for a range of activities, including:
- Educational Initiatives:
Funding for hostels, residential schools, ITIs, Arts and Craft Centers, or any income-generating projects. - Tuition Fee Support:
Assistance for training in Information Technology at reputed institutions. - Childcare Services:
Establishing creches (Balwadies/Bal Kendras) for underprivileged SC children. - Healthcare Facilities:
Setting up hospitals or mobile dispensaries, with specific expenditure limits (e.g., for a ten-bed hospital, a monthly cap of ₹10,000 for visiting specialists). - Awareness and Support:
Activities to create awareness about government schemes and to assist beneficiaries in accessing various facilities such as legal aid, scholarships, loans, and grants. - Grievance Redressal:
Support in addressing grievances at appropriate judicial or administrative forums. - Coaching and Advocacy:
Establishing centers for coaching in entrance examinations and competitive tests not covered under existing coaching schemes. - NGO Capacity Building:
Training in accounts, management, and application procedures. - Related Activities and Accountancy Support:
Including maintenance of accounts (e.g., for MGNREGA) and other related functions.
Eligibility
For Organizations
Organizations eligible to apply include:
- Entities registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (XXI of 1860) or any relevant State/UT Act.
- Public trusts registered under applicable laws.
- Charitable companies licensed under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.
- Branches of the Indian Red Cross Society.
- Other public bodies or institutions with legal status.
Additional Criteria for Voluntary Organizations:
- Must be registered for at least three years (waivable in exceptional cases with written justification from the Ministry’s Secretary).
- At least 60% of the beneficiaries should be from the Scheduled Caste community.
- Organizations should maintain a dedicated bank account for at least three years.
- They should not operate for profit (except for training institutions of repute).
Additional Considerations for New Applications
- Minimum two years of experience in the relevant field.
- Proven aptitude and experience in welfare work for weaker sections.
- Proposed projects should be located in educationally backward blocks, service-deficient blocks with at least 40% SC population, or districts identified as backward or included in an Integrated Action Plan.
- Consideration is also given to the financial viability of the organization, its reputation, community mobilization capability, and networking with other institutions.
Application Process
The process is conducted offline following these steps:
- Application Preparation:
- Complete the prescribed Application-cum-Monitoring Form as per the guidelines provided by the Ministry.
- Submission Timing:
- Submit applications for both ongoing and new cases to the respective State/UT Social Welfare Department (or the department responsible for Scheduled Castes matters) preferably within the first quarter of the financial year.
- State Committee Review:
- The State Government verifies the organization’s credibility and project details at the field level.
- Proposals are reviewed by a multidisciplinary “State Grant-in-Aid Committee” which then forwards its recommendations to the Ministry by 30th April.
- Inspection and Ministry Evaluation:
- If State/UT recommendations are delayed, the Ministry may commission an inspection report via NSCFDC/NSKFDC or deputed officers.
- The Ministry then evaluates proposals based on the recommendations and supporting documentation.
- Fund Transfer:
- Upon evaluation, the Ministry issues a sanction order, and funds are transferred following internal procedures.
For Fund Release:
- First Instalment:
Requires submission of an application in the prescribed proforma with supporting documents, a utilization certificate for the last grant (if applicable), audited/unaudited accounts for the previous year, budget estimates for the current financial year, and an annual report for ongoing projects. - Second Instalment:
Released upon receipt of audited statements, a utilization certificate, an inspection report from the prescribed agency, and a recommendation from the State Grant-in-Aid Committee. - Agreement Bond:
The grantee must execute an Agreement Bond in the prescribed proforma. - Financial Management:
Organizations must maintain separate accounts for the grants received and keep a Register of Assets as per the guidelines.
Documents Required
- Completed Application-cum-Monitoring Form.
- Supporting documents as specified in the checklist provided by the Ministry.
- For the release of instalments: Utilisation Certificate, audited/unaudited accounts, budget estimates, annual performance report, and an Agreement Bond.
- Register of Assets in the prescribed format.
- Statement of Equipment/Machinery detailing assets purchased with the grant.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is the purpose of this scheme?
The scheme aims to bridge service gaps and promote the socio-economic development of Scheduled Castes by supporting voluntary and other organizations in delivering educational, healthcare, vocational, and social welfare services. -
How are organizations’ accounts monitored, and what is the scope of the audit process?
Organizations must submit quarterly progress reports and annual audited statements, which are verified through inspection reports and recommendations from the State Grant-in-Aid Committee. -
Is there an agreement bond that organizations must sign?
Yes, organizations must execute an Agreement Bond in the prescribed proforma, which outlines their obligations in managing the grant. -
What documents are required to be regularly submitted by organizations?
Quarterly progress reports, annual audited accounts, utilization certificates, and inspection reports are required at designated intervals. -
How are funds allocated and what is the timeline for application submission?
Applications should be submitted in the first quarter of the financial year. Funds are allocated based on proposals and recommendations from the State Committee, with recommendations due by 30th April. -
What expenses are admissible under this scheme?
Expenses include costs for educational initiatives, healthcare facilities, vocational training, childcare services, awareness programs, grievance redressal, coaching, NGO capacity building, and related activities. The specific list is detailed in the guidelines. -
What does “Related Activities” mean in the context of the scheme?
This covers any additional activities that directly contribute to the socio-economic development or livelihood generation of Scheduled Castes, as long as they are in line with the scheme’s objectives. -
What healthcare facilities are provided through this scheme?
The scheme supports the establishment of hospitals or mobile dispensaries, with a monthly expenditure limit of ₹10,000 for visiting specialists in a ten-bed hospital, subject to conditions. -
Can you explain the scope of educational initiatives covered by this scheme?
Educational initiatives may include the opening of hostels, residential schools, ITIs, and Arts and Craft Centers, as well as tuition fee support for training in Information Technology. -
Who is eligible to apply for grants under this scheme?
Eligible applicants include voluntary organizations and other organizations (public trusts, charitable companies, etc.) working for the Scheduled Castes, provided they meet the registration and operational criteria. -
In what instances may organizations be required to refund a part of the grant they received?
Refunds may be required if funds are misused or if the organization fails to meet the stipulated conditions, as determined during audits or inspections. -
How is the second instalment released?
The second instalment is released upon submission of audited statements, a utilization certificate, an inspection report, and a recommendation from the State Grant-in-Aid Committee. -
How are assets and equipment tracked by organizations?
Organizations must maintain a Register of Assets and submit a statement of equipment/machinery in the prescribed format detailing all assets purchased with the grant. -
How are funds allocated based on accepted proposals?
Allocation is based on the State Committee’s recommendations, which consider the organization’s experience, financial viability, reputation, community mobilization capability, and the project’s impact on Scheduled Castes.