Scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary and other Organizations Working for Scheduled Castes
State: Central
Ministry: Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment
Department: Department of Social Justice & Empowerment
Category: Social welfare & Empowerment
Beneficiary Type: NGO

The "Scheme aims to enhance the reach of development interventions of the Government and fill the gaps in service-deficient Scheduled Caste-dominant areas in sectors such as education, health, vocational training, etc., through the efforts of voluntary organizations and other organizations.

Benefits:
1. **Educational Initiatives:** Opening of Hostels and Residential Schools, ITIs, Arts and Craft Centers, or Any Other Income Generating Scheme.1. **Tuition Fee Support:** Meeting the Cost of Tuition Fees for Training in Information Technology at Institutions of Repute Selected by the Ministry of Social Justice &amp; Empowerment.1. **Childcare Services:** Organizing Balwadies and Bal Kendras, i.e., Creches, to Look After the Deprived Children of Scheduled Castes.1. **Healthcare Facilities:** Providing Medical Facilities to Scheduled Castes through the Establishment of Hospitals or Mobile Dispensaries. For a ten-bed hospital, a visiting specialist (paediatrician/gynaecologist) is recommended. The maximum expenditure per month for this purpose will be restricted to ₹10,000, subject to payment of ₹1,000 per visit/day.1. **Awareness and Support:** Creating Awareness Regarding Government Programs and Facilities, and Providing Assistance and Guidance in Accessing Various Government Facilities like Legal Aid, Scholarships, Loans, Various Grants, and Client Services.1. **Grievance Redressal:** Providing Assistance for Grievance Redressal at Appropriate Judicial/Administrative Fora.1. **Coaching and Advocacy:** Coaching Centers for Various Entrance Examinations and Tests and Other Service-Related Competitive Examinations, which are not covered in the Coaching Scheme for Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes. Addressing Human Rights Issues, Environmental Issues, and Issues Related to the Protection of Consumers&#39; Rights.1. **NGO Capacity Building:** Training of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Accounts, Management, and Application Procedures, etc.1. **Related Activities:** All Such and Related Activities that are in Harmony with the Objectives Listed Above.1. **Accountancy Support:** Accountancy for Maintenance of Accounts in MGNREGA and More.

Eligibility:
> **For the Organization**

1. Registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (XXI of 1860) or any relevant State/Union Territory Act.
1. A public trust registered under the applicable law.
1. A charitable company licensed under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.
1. Indian Red Cross Society or its branches.
1. Any other public body or institution with legal status.
1. Voluntary organizations should have been registered for at least three years when applying for a grant under the scheme. However, the Secretary, of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment can waive this requirement in exceptional cases with written reasons.
1. The number of Scheduled Caste beneficiaries should be at least 60% in the case of voluntary organizations.
1. Other organizations or training institutions approved by the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/Voluntary Organizations (VOs) must have maintained and operated a bank account in the name of NGOs/VOs for the last three years.
- It should not operate for profit for any individual or body of individuals, except in the case of training institutions of repute.

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> **The following criteria would be kept in view while selecting the new VOs/NGOs**

1. Experience of at least two years in the relevant field.
1. Aptitude and experience in welfare work pertaining to weaker sections.
1. The location of the Residential and non-residential School Projects proposed by the organization should be in:

- Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs); or
- Service Deficient blocks with 40% SC population; or
- Backward Districts identified by the Planning Commission or
- Integrated Action Plan Districts identified by the Govt. of India.

         1. The Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs).
         2. Financial viability of the organization to contribute its share and ability to continue the work for limited periods in the absence of assistance from the Ministry.
         3. Good reputation and credentials.
         4. Capability to mobilize the community.
         5. Networking with other institutions for optimum utilization of resources allocated and assets created.

Application Process:
[Offline]
Step 1: Application PreparationThe organization shall submit the application in the prescribed format (Application-cum-Monitoring Form) following the procedure and guidelines provided by the Ministry.
Step 2: Submission TimingApplications, for both ongoing and new cases, should be submitted by the organization to the Social Welfare Department or the department responsible for Scheduled Castes matters in the State/UT, preferably in the first quarter of the relevant financial year.
Step 3: State Committee ReviewThe State Government (State Social Welfare Department or the department dealing with Scheduled Caste matters) will verify the organization's genuineness and the project at the field level. Proposals are then presented before the multidisciplinary "State Grant-in-aid Committee" (State Committee).
Step 4: Recommendations to the MinistryThe State Committee forwards its recommendations to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment by 30th April. The State Committee must provide reasons for recommending or rejecting the proposals.
Step 5: Inspection ReportIf proposals or recommendations from the State Governments/UTs are not received within a reasonable period, the Ministry may obtain an inspection report from the National Scheduled Caste Finance Development Corporation (NSCFDC)/National Safai Karmachari Finance Development Corporation (NSKFDC)/Ambedkar Chairs under Dr. Ambedkar Foundation nearby or by deputing a suitable officer from the ministry for inspection.
Step 6: Ministry's AcceptanceNo application will be accepted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment directly. All applications must be recommended by the State Committee or following the prescribed procedure.
Step 7: Document SubmissionState Government/UT Administrations, while forwarding the recommendations of the State Committee and the proposals of VOs/NGOs, should submit the required documents as per the provided checklist and Time Schedule, which is uploaded on the website.
Step 8: Evaluation of ProposalsThe Ministry evaluates the received proposals and recommendations.
Step 9: Fund Transfer ProceduresThe Ministry follows procedures to issue a sanction order, transfer funds, and handle internal fund transfers.
Step 10: Fund AllocationFunds are allocated based on the accepted proposals and recommendations to facilitate projects related to Scheduled Castes.

Documents Required:
The organization receiving grants from the Ministry shall regularly submit quarterly Progress Report in the months of July (for April to June of a financial year), October (for July to September of the same financial year), January (for October to December of the same financial year) and in April (for January to March of the same financial year) in the prescribed format.
For the Release of the First InstalmentAn application in the prescribed proforma with the required documents.
Utilisation Certificate of the last released grant in the format prescribed under GFR-19A. Audited/Unaudited accounts for the previous year, indicating the expenditure incurred on each sanctioned item in comparison to the grant sanctioned.
Budget Estimates for the financial year for which grant-in-aid is required.
Annual Report providing performance data of the projects during the previous year. This condition does not apply to new proposals.
For the Release of the Second InstalmentThe second instalment will be released upon receipt of the audited statement of accounts, along with a utilization certificate, and an inspection report from the prescribed agency, accompanied by a recommendation from the Grant-in-Aid Committee of the State Government/UT Administration.
Agreement BondThe grant-in-aid will be released after the grantee organization executes an Agreement Bond in the prescribed proforma.
Maintenance of Separate AccountsDistinct accounts for the grants received.
Register of AssetsA Register of Assets in the proforma prescribed under GFR. This register should include all assets of permanent value, machinery, and equipment with a life of not less than 5 years and costing Rs. 10,000 and above (each item).
Submission of Audited AccountsAt the end of the financial year, an aided organization will provide audited statements of accounts along with a utilization certificate for all expenditures incurred.
Statement of Equipment/MachineryA statement in the prescribed proforma under GFR, detailing the equipment and machinery purchased, including their prices, out of the grant-in-aid received.