Kerala to route SC/ST housing aid directly to beneficiaries
Kerala will transfer housing funds directly to SC/ST beneficiaries across all 14 districts, bypassing Life Mission, Minister K.A. Thulasi announced.
The Kerala government has decided to disburse housing construction funds directly to eligible Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) beneficiaries across all 14 districts, Minister for SC/ST Welfare K.A. Thulasi announced on Sunday. The funds will no longer be routed through the Life Mission, the state's flagship housing scheme.
Thulasi made the announcement while inaugurating the first phase of a 100-day outreach programme to SC settlements and Adivasi hamlets, organised by the Thrissur district committee of the Bharatiya Dalit Congress at Muthuvara. The event also saw the distribution of education awards.
The Minister outlined a broader development agenda for SC settlements, stating that ₹1 crore would be spent on the comprehensive development of each settlement. For smaller clusters of three to 15 houses, an integrated development package of ₹40 lakh has been earmarked.
In addition to housing, Thulasi said a self-employment scheme for women has been launched to promote economic empowerment. She added that steps are being taken to strengthen women's economic independence and create opportunities through special recruitment drives.
The function was held at the C.N. Balakrishnan Saptati Mandir in Muthuvara, with Bharatiya Dalit Congress district president Santhosh Edathadan presiding. Congress district office-bearers were also honoured during the programme.