Centrally Sponsored Scheme

           The Department of Social Welfare, Union Territory of Puducherry also functions as a nodal agency in implementing the various welfare programmes formulated by the Ministry of Welfare through the various NGOs in the UT of Puducherry. The UT of Puducherry recommends all these institutions for grants to the Ministry.

 1. Alcohol and drug demand reduction.

           To sensitize the youths, students, labourers and other vulnerable groups on the ill effects of drug abuse and alcoholism, NGOs conduct awareness programme from time to time, which includes seminars, workshops, competitions, exhibitions, street plays, etc. The Department of Social Welfare conducts workshops and seminars on prevention of Drug abuse and Alcoholism in collaboration with T.T.K. Hospital , Chennai. Many College students and youths are sensitized on the ill effects of drugs and alcoholism in such seminars and workshops.

 2. An Integrated Programme for Older Persons:

           To empower and improve the quality of life of older persons and to provide care to the destitute elderly, 3 NGOs have set up Homes for the aged, (of these 2 are functioning in Puducherry and one in Karaikal).

           The Government also runs 3 Homes for the Aged and infirm persons which take care of around 125 aged persons. Apart from this, 2 day care centers for the Aged persons run by NGOs are also functioning in Puducherry.

           A total number of 225 aged destitute men and women are provided with all facilities and well taken care of in these institutions.

 3. Free Distribution of Blankets & Footwear to Aged Citizens

           Free blankets and footwear are distributed every year to senior citizens above 60 years of age, belonging to families Below Poverty Line. Those receiving Old Age Pension from the Department of Women and Child Welfare are  eligible under this scheme.

 4. An Integrated Programme for Street Children :

 Prevention of destitution and withdrawal of children from a life on the street and their placement into national mainstream:

Three institutions taking care of the street children are functioning in Puducherry. The Children are counseled, nurtured, provided with basic amenities and rehabilitated and are placed in the National mainstream. They are:-

a)     Udhavi Karangal Samuga Nala Thodar Kalvi lyakam, Nonankuppam

b)    Santhosha Nanban, center for street Children, Thillai Maistry Street , Puducherry.

c)     Cluny Padmini Snegha illam, Periakalapet,

All the above 3 institutions have been licensed by the State Government and 2 of these three institutions (a) & (b) above are receiving grant from the State Government to the tune of Rs.1,33,300/-.

5.  Thavathiru Kundrakudi Adikalar Communal Harmony Award

          A new scheme has been introduced from the year 2004 to award a Social Activist who is working for the national harmony and integrity and in recognition of such persons best services in this regard, a sum of Rs. 10,000/- is paid along with a citation.

SCHEMES FOR WELFARE OF BACKWARD CLASSES

 1. HOSTELS FOR OBC STUDENTS

Due to long distance, the poor students may not be in a position to go to school. Therefore by extending hostel facilities to these students, they can stay in the hostel and continue the education. Six hostels are run by the Government under the control of Social Welfare Department. The OBC students having parental income of not more than Rs.24,000/- and studying from IV Std to XII Std are eligible for admission. Besides, boarding and lodging and uniforms are also freely provided to them.  

2. MAKKAL THALAIVAR V. SUBBIAH PRIZES TO MERITORIOUS OBC STUDENTS
Under the scheme, the OBC students who are securing I and II rank in the school final examination in SSLC, Matriculation & +2 levels are given cash prizes of Rs. 5,000/- and Rs. 3,000/- respectively with a citation. The scheme encourages the OBC students to secure more marks in the school final examination.

3. FREE  DISTRIBUTION OF PRESS BOX BARBER CHAIRS, KITS TO POOR OBC PEOPLE

 Under the scheme, the beneficiary who belong to OBC category, having income not exceeding Rs.24,000/- per annum and aged more than 21 years, are eligible. This scheme is very helpful to enhance the business of the washer man and provide regular income by way of self-employment. Due to this, poverty of these people are being removed and they can live a happy life. 1640 press boxes (Rs. 1,400 each) and 532 barber chairs each (Rs. 6000 approx.) with kits were purchased and disbursed so far after the implementation of the scheme.

4. BI-CYCLES TO IX STD. STUDENTS

Due to long distance and shortage of transport facilities, the poor students are in great need of bi-cycles to go to schools. By getting cycles, students need not walk more and hence energy is saved and more time is available to concentrate on studies and the students can also reach the school in time. In the modern world, two-wheeler is essential one. By using the cycles, more works may be attended in a shorter time. Thus a new scheme was formulated to distribute free cycles. In a year approximately 15,500 cycles ( each cycle of Rs. 2500 ) are supplied to the boys and girls studying in IX standard in Government and Government aided Schools.

 5. FREE SUPPLY OF NATHASWARAM AND THAVIL TO POOR OBC ARTISTS.

 Many artists are not in a position to continue their profession due to non- availability of instruments like Nathaswaran and Thavil for doing their conventional profession. As they are wholly dependent on the instruments, this Government have formulated a new scheme to supply freely tools/instruments etc. at a cost of Rs.10,000/- (Nathaswaram) and Rs.6,000/- (Thavil) to them. 100 Nathaswaram and 121 Thavil were purchased and distributed so far after the implementation of scheme.

6. Construction of BC Hostels .
Six hostels are run by the Government under the control of Social Welfare Department (3 in Puducherry, 2 in Karaikal, 1 in Yanam). This Department has also contemplated to construct new Hostel buildings in 5 places (3 in Puducherry and 2 in Karaikal) so as to accommodate about 100 BC students in each Hostel with a cost of Rs. 70.0 lacs each building, for which the Government of India’s grant-in-aid has been sought for. Now Rs.74.2 lakhs has been received under CSS, to construct a girls hostel at Kirumampakkam.

7.    Pre/ Post matric Scholarship to BC Students
 Under the Centrally sponsored scheme, this Administration has approached the Government of India seeking grant-in-aid for payment of scholarship to the BC boys and girls studying in Pre-Matric and Post-Matric standards. At present post-matric scholarships only issued to the students.