Social Welfare Schemes in Kerala

Kerala Government runs many welfare schemes to support senior citizens, widows, workers, and vulnerable communities through the Social Justice Department and other Departments. The Directorate of Social Justice is the main arm of the Social Justice Department. The Directorate which acts as the nodal organisation for implementing the programmes of the State Government as well as Central Government. Various kinds of financial assistances to the needy in the State are also provided through the Directorate. The social welfare schemes of Kerala Government are listed below.

Several poverty alleviation schemes and infrastructure development programmes are being implemented in Kerala to alleviate poverty and increase employment opportunities. 'Kudumbashree' has been introduced in all the districts of Kerala. Several welfare institutions are functioning under the Social Welfare Department. There are more than 40 pension schemes in Kerala for the weaker sections of the society . There are several welfare fund boards in Kerala for the welfare of workers working in the unorganized sector. In addition, special schemes are being implemented for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Social Welfare Schemes in Kerala

■ Kudumbashree - Kudumbashree is a project launched with the aim of implementing women's empowerment through self-help groups and initiatives.

■ Ashraya - Ashraya is an initiative that provides survival needs and basic amenities to underprivileged people who are not part of the mainstream of society.

■ Mahila Mandiram - An institution that provides accommodation for widows, divorcees, and destitute women. Children up to the age of six can be accommodated.

■ Sanatha Balyam - A scheme launched by the Kerala government to provide a healthy and happy life to orphaned children.

■ Kottayam Youth Entrepreneurial Cooperative Society - The first youth cooperative society started under the Kerala State Cooperative Department to provide employment to the youth.

■ Sahajeevanam Disabled Assistance Center Scheme - A scheme of the Social Justice Department that was introduced with the aim of welfare and protection of differently abled sections in the state.

■ Sharanabalyam - A scheme launched by the Department of Social Justice to prevent exploitation of children (child labor, child begging, child exploitation).

■ K.Phone - A scheme planned by the Kerala government to provide free high-speed internet connection to families below the poverty line.

■ Abhayakiranam - A Kerala government scheme that provides financial assistance of Rs. 1000 per month to relatives who provide shelter and family environment to homeless widows.

■ Kavacham - A project of Kerala Police to ensure a safe life for children from vulnerable groups, both inside and outside the home, as part of the Janamaithri Suraksha scheme.

■ Theeramythri scheme - A self-employment scheme implemented by the government for women fishermen aimed at the development of the coastal region of Kerala.

■ Vatsalya Nidhi - An insurance scheme launched jointly by the Scheduled Caste Development Department and LIC for the comprehensive development of girls.

■ Pariraksha - A scheme launched by the Department of Social Justice to provide assistance to the disabled in times of emergency.

■ Janakeeya Bhakshana Sala (Alappuzha) - An initiative started to provide free food to the people with the aim of a hunger-free Kerala.

■ Nava Kerala Nidhi - An initiative launched to coordinate and implement various projects led by the Kerala Government and to collect voluntary financial assistance from the public, institutions, etc.

■ Janani Janma raksha - A scheme implemented by the state government in Kerala for nutrition of pregnant women and mothers belonging to Scheduled Tribes.

■ Kisan Abhiman - A pension scheme launched by the Department of Agriculture for farmers who have crossed the age of 60. Kerala is the first state in India to introduce pension for farmers.

■ Vatsalya Nidhi - Insurance scheme for girls belonging to Scheduled Tribes.

■ Annadayini - A scheme to provide nutrition to tribal communities under the aegis of Kerala Social Security Mission.

■ Smritivanam - A scheme to establish and maintain crematoriums in collaboration with local self-government bodies for the cremation of members of poor Scheduled Caste families upon their death.

■ Vigyan Vadi - A project to set up computers, libraries and reading rooms with internet facilities in Scheduled Caste colonies.

■ Operation Sulaimani - Operation Sulaimani is a project started to ensure that no one in Kozhikode city goes hungry. Malappuram is the second district where Operation Sulaimani was implemented.

■ Samagra - A project of the State Literacy Mission that ensures literacy for the people of tribal villages.

■ Matrujyothi - A Kerala government scheme to provide financial assistance to mothers facing various challenges.

■ Punargeham - A Kerala government scheme to rehabilitate fishermen living up to 50 meters from the coastline.

■ Ujjivan - Kerala government scheme that provides loans of up to Rs. 10 lakh to flood victims .

■ MEDISEP - Health insurance scheme launched for government employees and pensioners in Kerala.

■ Vayokshema Scheme - Call centers have been started in every district of Kerala to protect the destitute and needy elderly.

■ Saphalam Scheme - Kerala government scheme that provides financial assistance to transgenders to study professional courses at degree and diploma level.

■ Harbor to Market - A project launched by the State Fisheries Department to provide quality fish to the people at reasonable prices as part of ensuring food security.

■ Hunger Free Kerala - Food distribution scheme implemented under the leadership of the State Food and Public Distribution Department.

■ Padavukal Scheme - Padavukkal is a financial assistance scheme for higher education for children of widows . This is a scheme to secure the future of the families of widowed women. The scheme provides financial assistance for tuition fees, hostel fees and mess fees of their children studying in various professional courses in government-aided institutions. It was implemented from 2018-19 . The annual family income of the scheme beneficiary should not exceed Rs 3 lakh. 2 people in a family are eligible for financial assistance.

■ Mangalya Scheme - Mangalya Scheme provides financial assistance of Rs. 25000 for the remarriage of deserving widows and legally divorced persons. This scheme has been implemented in the state since 2008. The District Women and Child Development Officer is responsible for the implementation of this scheme. Financial assistance is provided for the remarriage of widows between the ages of 18 and 50 .

■ Sahayahastham Scheme - Sahayahastham is a scheme that provides financial assistance to widows to start self-employment ventures. Widows whose annual income does not exceed Rs. 1 lakh and who are below the age of 55 are provided with a grant of Rs. 30,000 . The beneficiary selected by the District Level Monitoring and Evaluation Committee will receive financial assistance under the scheme. Financial assistance is provided to 10 people per district in a year . Priority is given to those with differently-abled children, those with only girls, and those without adult children. Priority is also given to those who are members of groups such as Kudumbashree units, self-help groups, and women's groups. This scheme has been implemented since 2018-19 . Apart from widows, divorced women and those abandoned by their husbands are also eligible for this financial assistance. The beneficiary's annual income should be less than Rs. 1 lakh.

■ Santhwanam Scheme - Santhwanam is a project implemented by Kudumbashree in the field of healthcare. The Santhwanam project provides services including blood tests to identify lifestyle diseases and thereby turns them into an opportunity for women's livelihood. The Santhwanam project was launched in 2006. This is a project that directly checks BP and diabetes in homes.

■ Ujjawala Scheme - Ujjwala is a scheme that provides financial assistance to recognized organizations to implement activities such as preventing sexual exploitation, freeing victims of exploitation, rehabilitating them, reuniting them and bringing them back into the society. Currently, three homes are functioning under the Ujjwala scheme in the state. Cultural Academy for Peace (Ernakulam), St. Bernadette Home for Women (Kozhikode), and P. Sarojini Amma Smaraka Mahila Samajam (Mancheri, Malappuram). Under the scheme, the Centre, the State and the organization bear the cost of Rs. 1 lakh per home for preventive activities and Rs. 25,23,500 per home for rehabilitation activities in the ratio of 60:30:10 respectively, subject to the norms.

Project objectives:

◆ Prevent sexual exploitation of women and children by creating awareness among the people through awareness programs, seminars, and lectures.

◆ Rescue victims from the scene of exploitation and take them to safe places.

◆ Rehabilitate victims of exploitation by providing them with shelter, clothing, food, counseling, medical care, legal aid and job training.

◆ Reunify victims of exploitation and return them to their families and communities.

◆ Rehabilitate exploited expatriates.

■ Pratyasha Project (Kudumbashree): The Pratyasha Project aims to create employment opportunities and achieve financial self-reliance for women belonging to marginalized and poor sections of the society and their family members. The Pratyasha Project was launched in 2017. The project is implemented through Kudumbashree. The objectives of the project are poverty eradication and women empowerment.

■ Pratyasha Scheme (Kerala Social Security Mission): This is a scheme to provide financial assistance for the marriage of girls from economically backward families. This is a scheme implemented by Kerala Social Security Mission in collaboration with corporate groups.

■ Pratyasha (Government of Kerala): A scheme to repatriate senior citizens, destitute, disabled, mentally challenged, orphans, etc. from other states residing in public rehabilitation centres to their native places. In the initial phase of the scheme, 100 people residing in PRCs and welfare institutions will be selected and repatriated. Those from other states will be sent back to their families or, after obtaining consent, placed in a welfare institution in their native district.

KEPCO Schemes

The Kerala State Poultry Development Corporation (KEPCO) is a state government initiative with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency in the production of chicken and eggs through comprehensive development and modernization of the poultry farming sector .

■ KEPCO Ashraya: Ashraya is KEPCO's relief scheme for widows. Under this scheme, each selected beneficiary is provided with 10 chickens, 3 kg of feed and medicine free of cost.

■ Nagarapriya: Nagarapriya is a project implemented by KEPCO targeting urban women to increase egg production in cities and facilitate waste disposal. Each beneficiary is provided with five chickens, five kilos of feed, a modern cage and medicine through the project.

■ Vanithamitram: KEPCO Vanithamitram is a scheme implemented for members of Kudumbashree units. Each beneficiary is provided with 10 chickens, one kilo of feed and medicine 

■ Nava Kerala Mission Schemes

The Nava Kerala Mission is a comprehensive development project launched by the Kerala government as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the formation of the state of Kerala . The Nava Kerala Mission was inaugurated by the Governor of Kerala, P. Sathasivam, on 10 November 2016. The Nava Kerala Mission aims at comprehensive development in the fields of health, education, housing and agriculture in collaboration with local self-government institutions. The projects launched in connection with the Nava Kerala Mission are - LIFE Mission, Aardram Mission, Comprehensive Educational Rejuvenation (Vidyakiranam) and Haritha Kerala Mission.

■ LIFE Mission Project ( LIFE, Livelihood, Inclusion and Financial Empowerment)

Chairman - Chief Minister

Co-Chairman - Minister of Local Self-Government

Vice Chairman - Ministers of Finance, Revenue, Housing, Social Justice, Electricity, Water Resources, Employment, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development, Fisheries and Vice Chairman of the Planning Board.

Special guest - Leader of the Opposition

Mission Secretary - Principal Secretary, Local Self-Government Department

The LIFE project aims to ensure financial assistance to those who own land to complete their houses, provide assistance for the renovation of unfinished houses, and provide a comprehensive rehabilitation plan based on housing complexes for landless and homeless families, and help them find their own livelihood. The main objective of the LIFE project is complete housing. Achievements targeted by the LIFE project in 5 years.

◆ Provide housing to all poor and homeless people who own land.

◆ Enable the completion of houses that could not be completed due to financial assistance provided for housing construction in the past.

◆ Renovate uninhabitable houses and provide new homes to those living in houses that cannot be repaired and made habitable.

◆ Provide safe homes to all poor, landless and homeless people.

◆  The project provides housing facilities to the landless and homeless, as well as comprehensive livelihood security, including employment to ensure a steady income by utilizing the opportunities for self-employment in the production and service sectors.

■ Comprehensive Educational Rejuvenation (Vidyakiranam)

Chairman - Chief Minister

Co-Chairman - Minister of Education

Vice-Chairman - Ministers of Finance, Local Self-Government and Social Justice

Special guest - Leader of the Opposition

Mission Secretary - Secretary of the Department of General Education

The Vidyakiranam is a comprehensive educational reform project aimed at improving the education sector. The Public Education Protection Scheme is a project launched to transform public schools from class 1 to 12 into centers of excellence and to ensure quality infrastructure facilities such as smart classrooms, toilets, laboratories and study halls in each school.

Project objectives

◆  To upgrade 1000 schools into centers of excellence to improve educational facilities for children from pre-primary to higher secondary .

◆ At the high school - higher secondary level, convert all classrooms into high-tech classrooms and give a new dimension to learning activities.

◆ Restore the relevance of public schools by ensuring timely development in collaboration with school managements, teacher-parent associations and alumni associations.

■ Aardram Mission Project

Chairman - Chief Minister

Co-Chairman - Minister of Health

Vice-Chairman - Ministers of Finance, Local Self Government, Food and Civil Supplies

Special guest - Leader of the Opposition

Mission Secretary - Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department

Aardram Mission is a project launched with the aim of ensuring quality health services to the public, especially the poor and the common people. The Aardram Mission is mainly designed for the expansion of government hospitals, conversion of primary health centers into family health centers, protection from lifestyle diseases, provision of medicines at low cost, international standards in nursing education and more responsibilities of local self-government bodies in health institutions. Along with solving contemporary health problems on a priority basis, the Aardram Mission also aims to meet the health needs of tribals, fishermen, women and the elderly.

Objectives of Aardram Mission

◆ Ensure quality and friendly service to those seeking treatment in public health institutions.

◆ Patient-friendly transformation of outpatient departments of medical college hospitals and other government hospitals, and upgrading district and taluk level hospitals to model standards.

◆ Provide essential specialty/super specialty services in a phased manner in medical colleges and district taluk hospitals.

◆ Convert primary health centers into family health centers.

◆ Provide quality treatment and care to patients according to treatment protocols.

◆ Emphasize skill development and human resource development in the field of nursing.

◆ Ensure safety of clinicians and health workers from occupational hazards through standards and accreditation systems.

◆ Strengthen and expand Ayurvedic treatment methods and traditional treatment areas in a timely manner.

■ Haritha Kerala Mission

Chairman - Chief Minister

Co-Chairman - Ministers of Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Water Resources

Vice Chairman - Ministers of Finance, Health and Forests and Vice Chairman of the Planning Board

Special guest - Leader of the Opposition

Mission Secretary - Additional Chief Secretary, Planning and Economic Affairs Department

The Haritha Keralam Mission is a project launched by the Kerala government with the aim of agriculture, water conservation and sanitation. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the project on December 8, 2016. The main objectives of the Haritha Keralam Mission are to restore sanitation and water abundance and increase the production of safe food items.

General objectives of the Haritha Keralam Mission

◆ Empower the community and local self-government institutions to organize development activities that do not pollute the land, soil, water, and air, and to identify and implement the necessary activities to ensure the presence of water in water sources.

◆ Act as a driving force for the formulation of technological projects aimed at environmental safety, productivity and self-sufficiency.

◆ Cleanliness - Ensure strict implementation of laws in the field of waste management. Ensure scientific waste management with public participation.

◆ Expand rainwater harvesting and ensure groundwater conservation.

◆ Plant fruit trees, multipurpose trees and medicinal plants widely.

Sub-missions of the Haritha Kerala Mission

◆ Sanitation - Waste management.

◆ Water conservation (water abundance).

◆ Agricultural development with emphasis on organic farming methods (Sujalam Suphalam)

Kerala Social Security Mission

Kerala Social Security Mission (KSSM) is a system formed to provide services and support to the destitute, the elderly, the poor, children, women, those suffering from terminal diseases including cancer and other vulnerable groups. This institution, registered as a charitable society, came into existence by a government order dated 14 October 2008. It is headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram. The mission started its operations with a basic operating fund of Rs. 65 crore.

Project objectives

◆ Organize social security programs across the state to provide services and support to groups of people who need care and protection, such as the poor, the elderly, children, women, and the chronically ill.

◆ Develop and implement plans for the protection and support of the elderly.

◆ Modernization of social welfare institutions in the state.

◆ Prepare plans to improve the nutritional status and health status of the poor.

◆ Provide assistance, including medical expenses, to chronically ill poor and indigent citizens.

◆ Implement a cancer care plan to provide treatment assistance to children with cancer.

◆ Formulate and implement rehabilitation programs for the welfare of destitute citizens discharged from government hospitals.

◆ To act as an information center for various social welfare programs in the state.

Various schemes of Kerala Social Security Mission.

■ Cancer Suraksha : This is a scheme to provide free treatment to children suffering from cancer under the age of 18. The scheme was launched on November 1, 2008 .

■ Snehapoorvam : A scheme that provides monthly financial assistance to children in homes where one of the parents has died and the surviving parent is unable to care for the children, with the aim of ensuring that they do not end up in orphanages and grow up under the care of their family members and receive education. It was launched in November 2013.

■ Thalolam: Treatment scheme for children under 18 years of age suffering from terminal illnesses. Financial assistance to patients undergoing inpatient treatment other than dialysis. The scheme was launched in January 2010.

■ Aswasakiranam: A scheme that provides financial assistance to those who care for those who are bedridden due to old age and various diseases.

■ Vayomithram: A scheme launched to provide healthcare and support to the elderly above 65 years of age living in the corporation and municipal areas of Kerala.

■ Hunger Free City: A scheme to provide free midday meals to the urban poor, patients and their companions in government hospitals.

■ Karunya Deposit Scheme: Karunya Deposit Scheme is a scheme under which a person who deposits Rs. 1 lakh or its multiples gets the deposited amount returned after one year and the interest on the total amount plus an equivalent amount from the Social Security Mission fund is given to a mentally challenged child. The depositors are given the freedom to choose the beneficiary.

■ Pratyasha: This is a scheme to provide financial assistance for the marriage of girls from economically backward families. This is a scheme implemented by the Kerala Social Security Mission in collaboration with corporate groups.

■ Snehasanthwanam: This is a scheme that provides a monthly pension to endosulfan victims in Kasaragod district. Those who are bedridden due to endosulfan are given Rs. 2200 each.

■ Samaswasam: The Samaswasam scheme is implemented in four categories. Samaswasam - 1, Samaswasam - 2, Samaswasam - 3, Samaswasam - 4. Samaswasam - 1 scheme provides monthly assistance to BPL patients who have kidney failure and need dialysis at least once a month. Samaswasam - 2 scheme provides assistance to patients who have undergone kidney-liver transplant surgery for up to five years after the surgery . Samaswasam - 3 scheme provides monthly assistance to those suffering from hemophilia and related diseases that cause blood clotting problems. The beneficiaries of Samaswasam - 4 scheme are non-Scheduled Tribe patients suffering from sickle cell disease in the state .

Samunnathi Schemes

Vidya Samunnathi, Samrambha Samunnathi, Skill Samunnathi and Bhavana Samunnathi are schemes implemented by the Kerala State Forward Community Welfare Corporation (Samunnathi) with the aim of comprehensive progress of the members of the unreserved communities facing economic backwardness in the state .

■ Vidya Samunnati: Vidya Samunnati is a scheme that provides scholarships to economically backward students from non-reserved communities for studies from high school to postgraduate level.

■ Samrambha Samunnathi: Financial assistance is provided under the Samunnathi Interest Subsidy Scheme.

■ Skill Samunnati: Skill Samunnati is an innovative vocational skills training scheme implemented with the aim of giving a new direction to the youth of non-reserved communities. This scheme is for educated youth from backward communities.

■ Bhavana Samunnathi: The Bhavana Samunnathi project is the restoration and renovation of agraharas and traditional houses that are facing destruction and are in a dilapidated state. 

NRI Welfare

■ Santwana Scheme: Santwana is a scheme of the NORKA to provide financial assistance to expatriates who have returned home. The scheme includes medical assistance, post-death assistance, marriage assistance and assistance to purchase wheelchairs and crutches.

■ Karunyam Scheme: Karunyam is a scheme that provides financial assistance to the legal heirs of a deceased expatriate (abroad or outside Kerala) to repatriate the body of a Keralite who was living abroad (either abroad or outside Kerala) by air, train or any other means of transport in the most cost-effective manner . This is a scheme through NORKA.

Other Schemes

■ Nizhal Scheme

Nizhal is a scheme implemented by the Kerala Police to provide safety to women who are left alone in public places or at home at night. The scheme provides assistance from the police stations in the respective places based on the information received on the number 112. Senior citizens will also get this service. This system has been set up at the police station in Thiruvananthapuram. Phone calls are received at the command center at the police headquarters, which operates 24 hours a day. Under the Nizhal scheme, people can be contacted by phone from all districts of Kerala at any time. 

■ Vayomithram Project

Vayomithram is a scheme to ensure health care for the elderly above 65 years of age. The scheme is being implemented in the municipal/corporation areas of the state in collaboration with the Local Self-Government Department. The scheme was started in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam corporations in the financial year 2010-2011. Later, the scheme was extended to other district headquarters. Free medicines are provided through mobile clinics, palliative care and help desk. Ambulance and help desk are also part of the scheme. Under this scheme, free care is provided to bedridden patients through palliative care.

■ Aswasakiranam Scheme

Aswasakiranam is a scheme that provides monthly financial assistance to people who are bedridden due to old age, various diseases such as cancer and require assistance to perform daily activities, and their caregivers. The scheme was launched by the Government of Kerala. This scheme can be used by people facing severe physical/mental challenges, 100 percent blindness, and those suffering from mental retardation, autism and cerebral palsy. The scheme is implemented by the Kerala Social Security Mission.

■ Arogyakiranam Scheme

Arogya Kiranam is a scheme that brings comprehensive healthcare services for children under the age of 18 under one umbrella. Apart from the 30 diseases that are covered under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram scheme, treatment assistance will be provided for all diseases through Arogya Kiranam scheme. The state government provides the assistance. Medicines, tests and treatments will be available free of cost from all government hospitals through the Aswasakiranam scheme. Services not available from government hospitals will be available free of cost from selected institutions empanelled with the hospital.

■ Parinayam Scheme

Parinayam is a scheme that provides financial assistance to the daughters of people facing financial hardship due to disabilities and girls with disabilities for the cost of conducting a legal marriage. Beneficiaries will receive assistance up to Rs. 30,000. The annual family income should be less than Rs. 1 lakh. An application for financial assistance can be submitted for the marriage of two daughters of a person. However, the application for financial assistance for the second child can be submitted only after a minimum of three years of receiving financial assistance for the first marriage.

■ Mathru Jyothi Scheme

Mathru Jyothi is a scheme that provides financial assistance of Rs. 2000 per month to mothers with disabilities until their child turns two years old. This helps mothers facing physical and mental challenges to take care of their child in the best possible way. Those with an annual income of less than Rs. 1 lakh are eligible for the benefit. The benefit can be availed up to a maximum of two times under Mathru Jyothi. The scheme was launched by the Department of Social Justice.

■ Ente Koodu Scheme (Ente Koodu Scheme)

Ente Koodu is a safe shelter for homeless and street women. Ente Koodu was conceived as a night shelter for homeless women and children. It is an initiative launched by the Kerala Social Justice Department with the aim of providing safe accommodation to women and children up to the age of 12 who come to cities. Admission is not allowed for children only. The working hours of the institution are from 5 pm to 7 am the next day. Admission is allowed for a maximum of 3 days per month. Admission can be obtained by paying Rs. 150 for each additional day . The project was started in August 2015. The first 'Ente Koodu' was in Puthiyara, Kozhikode. In 2018, it also started functioning at the KTDFC building at Thampanoor Bus Terminal, Thiruvananthapuram .

■ Saranya Scheme

Saranya is a self-employment scheme for unemployed widows, deserters, legally separated, unmarried women and unmarried mothers of Scheduled Tribes who are registered with the Employment Exchanges in Kerala. The scheme was launched in the financial year 2010-2011. Those between the ages of 18 and 55 are eligible for the benefit.

■ Swasraya Scheme

Swasraya is a one-time financial assistance scheme for women who are facing severe physical and mental challenges to start their own businesses. The scheme will benefit women who are isolated for various reasons in their lives. Beneficiaries will receive a one-time financial assistance of Rs. 35,000 through the scheme . Parents of children from BPL families with 70% or more disability will receive assistance.

■ WE - CARE Scheme

We-Care is an initiative launched by the Department of Social Justice and Social Security Mission. The aim of the initiative is to collect resources for charitable activities from individuals, voluntary organizations, foundations, public sector institutions and corporates and use that money to carry out activities. The aim of the We-Care Volunteer Corps is to form a community-based care and service network by connecting all sections including the government, local self-government institutions, socio-political organizations and volunteers.

■ Karunya Benevolent Fund

The Karunya Benevolent Fund Medical Assistance Scheme is a scheme under which medical assistance is provided using the net proceeds from the weekly lotteries of the State Lottery Department, namely Karunya and Karunya Plus. The diseases covered under the scheme are cancer, heart surgery, brain-liver surgeries, kidney-liver-heart transplant surgeries, kidney disease treatment, hemophilia, palliative care, fatal lung diseases and serious injuries to the spine and spinal cord.

■ Avalidam Clubs Project

Avalidam Clubs are a special initiative of the Youth Welfare Board aimed at women's empowerment. More than a thousand young women have formed clubs across the state under the name 'Avalidam - Voice of Young Women'. The clubs are formed with the aim of helping to lay the foundation for women's empowerment by building awareness and confidence among women. Activities such as awareness programs against dowry and violence against women, creating awareness about women's safety laws, etc. Avalidam Clubs also pave the way for self-employment training to make women self-sufficient in matters including finances.

■ Grihasthali Heritage Protection Scheme

The Grihasthali Heritage Protection Scheme is a scheme to preserve and maintain the cultural heritage of Kerala and its outstanding buildings. The Tourism Department will provide up to 25 percent of the cost to entrepreneurs interested in preserving and maintaining buildings that are 50 years old, culturally significant and can be converted into guest houses with modern facilities, built in the Kerala architectural style, with historical significance, heritage value and architectural charm.

■ Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi

Karunya Arogya Suraksha Yojana (KASP) is one of the government's public health protection schemes . The Karunya Arogya Suraksha Yojana is a scheme of the central and state governments under which poor and vulnerable families in Kerala receive the medical - finance help. Health security schemes such as Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, S-CHIs, Karunya Benevolent Fund and Ayushman Bharat (PMJY) are part of the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Yojana.

■ Shalabham Programme

'Shalabham' is a project launched by the Health Department of the Government of Kerala for comprehensive health screening of newborns . The Comprehensive Newborn Screening Program (Shalabham) aims to identify and treat any other diseases or disabilities in babies born in government hospitals, thereby helping them to live a healthy life.

■ Aswasanidhi Scheme

The Aswasanidhi Scheme is a scheme launched as an emergency financial assistance to women and children who have survived violence. The Aswasanidhi Scheme is a scheme that provides emergency financial assistance to women and children who have survived sexual assault, acid attacks, domestic violence and gender discrimination. The financial assistance is provided by the Women and Child Development Department based on the investigation report and recommendations provided by the Women Protection Officer, District Child Protection Officer, etc. The emergency financial assistance ranges from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 2 lakh. Financial assistance is provided to women in their bank accounts and to minor children in the bank accounts of the child and guardian.

Amount allocated as relief money in various complaints as part of the Aswasanidhi Scheme,

◆ Cases registered under POCSO Act - Rs. 50,000 to Rs . 1 lakh

◆ Unnatural sexual offences - Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh

◆ Loss of life - Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh

◆ Serious physical/mental injury due to domestic violence - Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000

◆ Women and children rescued from human trafficking - Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000

◆ Acid attack victims - Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh

◆ Pregnant women due to rape - Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh

◆ Loss of any organ or part of the body - Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh

◆ Miscarriage resulting from assault - Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh

◆ Burn victims - Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh

■ Kaitang Project (a project launched for women and children)

Kaitang is a project launched by various government departments in various sectors to promote preventive measures to prevent violence against women and children. As part of the project, a response team has been formed with Kudumbashree, ASHA workers, Mahila Pradhan agents, Janamayithri police, youth clubs, resident associations, etc. The main objective of the project is to identify families damaged by alcohol and drug abuse and families adversely affected by it in each selected ward and to bring them into the mainstream of society by providing them with the necessary social support.

■ Kaithang Scheme (a scheme launched to protect Scheduled Caste children) 

Kaithang is a scheme that provides monthly financial assistance to orphaned Scheduled Tribe children. This scheme was launched for the welfare of Scheduled Tribe children.

■ Sraddha Scheme

Shraddha is a project launched to provide legal awareness to the officers and service providers of the Women and Child Development Department. The project aims to build a society that can recognize the rights of women and children and shed light on the social responsibility to act against violence. Awareness classes will be provided to various departmental officers, service providers, residential colleges, youth clubs, resident associations, volunteers, Mahila Pradhan agents, ASHA workers and Saksharata Prerak through the project.

■ Margin Money Grant Scheme

The Margin Money Grant Scheme is one of the schemes implemented by the Industries Department with the aim of increasing women's participation in the entrepreneurship sector. This is a scheme that provides margin money grant for starting small units. Those who start units with a total project cost of up to Rs. 10 lakh, including small enterprises in the manufacturing, food processing and service sectors, will receive financial assistance. Apart from women, ex-servicemen, disabled persons and those belonging to the Scheduled Castes also have priority in getting the margin money grant.