Goa Divyang Kaushal Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Government of Goa has launched a new disability welfare scheme called Divyang Kaushal Yojana to improve skill development and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the state.

Under the scheme, the government will provide financial assistance to registered Organizations, Government Organizations, NGOs, Trusts, and Institutions for setting up sheltered workshops and vocational training centres for disabled persons. The scheme does not provide direct benefits to individuals but supports organisations working for disability empowerment, vocational rehabilitation, and inclusive employment initiatives.

Through these sheltered workshops, persons with disabilities will receive skill-based vocational training, supervised work opportunities, and employment-oriented support to help them achieve independent living and financial empowerment.

The Goa Government will provide operational assistance of up to Rs. 2.90 lakh per month on a reimbursement basis for running sheltered workshops under the scheme. In addition, eligible organizations can also receive a one-time grant of Rs. 10 lakh for setting up workshops, purchasing machinery, furniture, raw materials, and other infrastructure facilities.

Financial assistance under Divyang Kaushal Yojana includes support for vocational instructors, special educators, caretakers, transport expenses, food expenses, administrative expenses, and other workshop-related operational costs. Under the scheme, the government will reimburse 75% of the approved expenditure, while the organization must bear the remaining 25% cost.

Through the Divyang Kaushal Yojana, the Goa Government aims to promote inclusive development, vocational empowerment, and better livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities across the state.

Objective of Divyang Kaushal Yojana

• To provide vocational training and skill development opportunities for persons with disabilities.
• To promote independent living through employment-oriented support.
• To support organizations working for disability empowerment in Goa.
• To create sheltered workshops for rehabilitation and vocational activities.

Scheme Benefits

• The scheme supports the establishment and operation of sheltered workshops for persons with disabilities.
• The scheme promotes vocational skill development and employment opportunities for disabled persons.
• Eligible organizations can receive financial assistance for running vocational training centres.
• Sheltered workshops under the scheme can provide supervised work opportunities to persons with disabilities.
• The scheme encourages NGOs, trusts, institutions, and government organizations to participate in disability empowerment activities.
• Persons with disabilities can receive skill-based training according to their abilities and capabilities.
• The scheme promotes independent living and financial empowerment of persons with disabilities.

Financial Assistance Details

Under the Divyang Kaushal Yojana, the Government of Goa will provide recurring operational assistance and one-time infrastructure support to eligible organizations running sheltered workshops for persons with disabilities.

The financial assistance provided under the scheme includes support for vocational staff, administrative expenses, transport facilities, food expenses, and infrastructure setup.

Eligibility Requirements

• The applicant must be a registered Organization/Government Organization/NGO/Trust/Institution engaged in empowerment of persons with disabilities.
• The institution must be registered under Section 50 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
• The organization must have a minimum enrollment of 20 persons with disabilities while applying.
• The institution must have at least three years of field experience in disability empowerment activities.
• The organization must have the financial capacity to independently operate the sheltered workshop for at least six months in case of delay or discontinuation of government grants.
• The institution should have a good reputation and should not have any criminal cases registered against it.
• The institution should have accessible physical and digital infrastructure.
• A maximum of six units per district will be sanctioned under the scheme.
• Government Organizations are exempted from certain eligibility conditions, including minimum enrollment and registration requirements under the scheme.

Required Documents

• Duly filled application form in Annexure-I format.
• Details of persons with disabilities in Annexure-II format.
• Details of staff employed by the institution in Annexure-III format.
• Report of last three years of field experience in disability empowerment activities.
• Registration Certificate under Section 50 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
• Annual statement of accounts and audited financial statements for the previous year.
• Receipt and payment statement certified by Chartered Accountant/Auditor.
• Details of vocational training and workshop activities conducted by the organization.
• Affidavit stating that similar financial assistance from other departments has not been availed.
• Copy of bank passbook.

Steps to Apply

• Step 1: Eligible Organisations/Government Organisations/NGOs/Trusts/Institutions should prepare the application in the prescribed format.
• Step 2: Applicants should attach all required documents, including registration certificate, audited accounts, field experience report, beneficiary details, and affidavit.
• Step 3: The applicant should fill Annexure-II containing details of persons with disabilities enrolled under the workshop.
• Step 4: The applicant should provide staff details in Annexure-III format.
• Step 5: The completed application form along with supporting documents should be submitted to the Director, Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Porvorim, Goa.
• Step 6: The Department will inspect the institution and verify the submitted information before sanctioning the financial assistance.

Important Conditions Under the Scheme

• The operational grant will be released in two instalments every year.
• The second instalment will be released only after submission of the Utilisation Certificate in FORM-12A under GFR Rules, 2017.
• The organisation must maintain separate accounts for grants received under the scheme.
• The accounts will remain open for audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
• The grantee institution must distribute the entire profit generated among persons with disabilities who are part of the sheltered workshop.
• Non-submission of utilisation certificates and audited statements within six months may result in disqualification from future grants.
• The scheme will remain in force until further government orders and may be reviewed after three years.

Relevant Links

• Goa Divyang Kaushal Yojana Application Format
• Goa Divyang Kaushal Yojana Gazette Notification
• Goa State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Portal.

Contact Information

• Goa State Commissioner for Persons with disabilities:
  • Phone Number: 9156321900
  • Email Helpdesk: [email protected]