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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government will launch the SAFE scheme (Secure Accommodation and Facility Enhancement) this year, to aid scheduled castes families to renovate houses. Minister of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes Development K Radhakrishnan had informed the Legislative Assembly last week that a scheme would be launched soon to ensure the completion of housing projects among scheduled castes in the state.
Though the LIFE Mission initiative, which commenced during the first term of Pinarayi government, offers new houses for the scheduled castes also, the renovation works were pending for the past five years. Various housing programmes, including scheduled castes were merged in LIFE Mission. The delay in the procedures of LIFE Mission has been criticised for causing impediment in ensuring houses, especially for the vulnerable sections.
The government has observed that many beneficiaries construct houses just to obtain the grants upto the last instalment. Even after transferring the amount promptly, the amount is not being used to complete the works of the houses. The department has launched the SAFE scheme to avoid this by speeding up the process and monitoring the works regularly.
Through SAFE, the government will dispense Rs 2.5 lakh for each family. The houses which are at least 20 years old or with incomplete structure will be prioritised in the scheme.
Types of beneficiaries, who can avail the scheme
- Maximum annual income should not exceed Rs 1 lakh
- The house has to be in the ownership of the applicant
- Houses without toilet facilities
- Houses where the breadwinner is a widow
- Families with more number of students
- Completing works of the roof
- Constructing toilets
- To set up doors and windows
- Kitchen renovation, including kitchen slab, shelf, LPG
- Flooring works
- Electrical works- wiring, fixing fan or lights
- Plumbing
- Constructing additional room
- Constructing steps from yard
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