Financial aid for 32,000 families and welfare schemes for dialysis patients announced

The government is taking immediate steps to pay the first and second instalments of housing assistance to 32,000 families through the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Backward Classes departments during this financial year. SC, ST and Backward Classes Welfare Minister K.A. Tulsi provided this information. According to a report in The Hindu, the Minister on Monday inaugurated the 'Snehasparsham' programme organised by the Kattakkambal Gram Panchayat as part of the annual planning for 2026-27.

During the programme, financial assistance was distributed to dialysis patients, used syringes were collected from homes, and a medical camp was organised. The Minister stated that the Life Mission housing assistance amount has been increased from ₹4 lakh to ₹6 lakh, while the housing allotment amount for ST families has been increased to ₹8 lakh.

Additionally, ST women are eligible to receive assistance up to ₹15 lakh for self-employment ventures, with a 75% subsidy being provided. Financial assistance is being provided to students for coaching for competitive examinations, including the Civil Services.

The Minister further stated that emergency medical assistance is available through the SC/ST departments in addition to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. Applicants can apply through Akshaya centres with a doctor's certificate. SC families who have lost their earning member are eligible to receive emergency assistance of ₹2 lakh.

For the development of colonies, allocations of ₹40 lakh and ₹1 crore have been made under the Panchami and Ambedkar schemes respectively. Through these schemes, facilities such as roads, drinking water, electricity and housing will be improved. K. Jayasankar, President of Kattakkambal Gram Panchayat, was present at the programme.