Launched by the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra, this scheme aims to improve the quality of life of families belonging to the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT). The scheme provides eligible families with a plot of land measuring 5 gunthas (approximately 500 square meters or about 5,382 square feet) along with the construction of a 269-square-foot home. This housing support, coupled with essential amenities, is intended to promote sustainable income sources and enhance economic stability among VJNT families.
Benefits
- Land & Housing:
- Each eligible family receives a plot of 5 gunthas.
- A 269-square-foot home is constructed on the allotted plot.
- The housing project is developed as a cluster of 20 families.
- Essential Amenities Provided:
- Shelter, internal roads, drainage, water supply, and electricity.
- A community hall (Samaj Mandir) for social activities.
- Project Coverage:
- The scheme benefits 20 families in each of the selected 3 villages (among 34 districts, excluding Mumbai & B. Mumbai) every year.
- Ownership Conditions:
- Land and house are given jointly in the names of the husband and wife. For widows and divorcees, the land and house are allotted in their name.
- The allotted land is non-transferable and cannot be sold or rented out.
Eligibility
- Residency:
The applicant’s family must be residing in Maharashtra. - Category:
The family must belong to the original VJNT (Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes) category. - Housing Status:
The family should not own their own house and must currently reside in a tent house or hut. - Landless Condition:
The family must be landless. - Settlement Criteria:
The family should be residing in one place for at least six months, and for the remaining months, they should be wandering from village to village for livelihood. - Income Limit:
The family’s annual income must be less than ₹1,00,000/-. - Exclusivity:
The family should not have availed benefits under any other housing scheme (such as Gharkul). - Benefit Restriction:
Only one member per eligible family will receive the benefit. - Priority:
Priority is given to families living in tents, with no earning hand, as well as to widows, divorcees, handicapped, and flood-affected persons.
Application Process
Offline Process
- Form Collection:
- Visit the Office of the Assistant Commissioner of Social Welfare in your district.
- Request the prescribed application form from the concerned staff.
- Form Completion:
- Fill in all the mandatory fields.
- Paste a passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required).
- Attach self-attested copies of all mandatory documents.
- Submission:
- Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the required documents to the concerned staff at the office.
- Acknowledgement:
- Request a receipt or acknowledgement that includes the date and time of submission and a unique identification number (if applicable).
Implementation
- Committee Structure:
- A district-level committee headed by the Collector is constituted to select land and beneficiaries.
- A sub-divisional committee headed by the Sub Divisional Officer handles Tahasil-level matters.
- Key Tasks:
- Selection of land.
- Identification and selection of eligible beneficiaries.
- Layout planning and construction of houses along with infrastructure development.
- Facilitation of self-employment by linking beneficiaries to various government schemes.
Documents Required
- Identity Proof: (e.g., Aadhaar Card, Voter Card)
- Passport-size Photograph
- VJNT Category Certificate
- Domicile Certificate/Address Proof
- Bank Account Details
- Income Certificate: Issued by an authorized government officer.
- Declaration: A statement certifying that the family is landless.
- Any other documents as required by the scheme guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Who is eligible for this scheme?
Families residing in Maharashtra that belong to the original VJNT category, who are landless and currently living in tents or huts, with an annual income of less than ₹1,00,000/-, and who have not availed benefits under any other housing scheme. -
What is the size of the house provided under the scheme?
A 269-square-foot home is constructed on the allotted plot. -
How many families are included in a cluster under this scheme?
Each project cluster includes 20 families. -
What are the essential amenities provided under this scheme?
Amenities include shelter, internal roads, drainage, water supply, electricity, and a community hall (Samaj Mandir) for social activities. -
How much land is provided to each family?
Each eligible family receives a plot measuring 5 gunthas (approximately 500 square meters or about 5,382 square feet). -
What is the income limit for eligibility?
The annual income of the family should be less than ₹1,00,000/-. -
How long should the beneficiary family have been settled in one place?
The family should be settled in one place for at least six months, with the remainder of the year spent wandering for livelihood. -
How does the scheme benefit the VJNT families?
It provides stable housing, essential amenities, and opportunities for self-employment, thereby improving the living standards and economic stability of VJNT families. -
What documents are required to apply for the scheme?
Required documents include identity proof, passport-size photograph, VJNT Category Certificate, domicile certificate/address proof, bank account details, income certificate, and a declaration of landlessness.