Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Aug 8: The Goa government has notified a new Shelter Home Scheme aimed at providing temporary accommodation, rehabilitation and support to homeless people of Goan origin who have been left without family or social support.
The initiative is intended for people who have become homeless due to family disputes, social ostracism, exploitation or other circumstances. Along with temporary shelter, the scheme will provide counselling, vocational training and rehabilitation to help beneficiaries rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.
The shelter homes will offer a range of services, including medical care, psychiatric treatment, case work services, occupational therapy, education-cum-vocational training and recreational facilities.
“The scheme ‘Shelter Home’ extends temporary shelter and rehabilitation to any individual of Goan origin who has no social support systems due to family problems, social ostracism, exploitation and other causes,” the notification stated.
Under the financial assistance package, each eligible shelter home will receive an annual grant of Rs 10.08 lakh towards staffing. This will cover personnel including a women protection officer, rehabilitation officer, counsellor, medical officer, caregivers and other staff.
Non-governmental organisations will additionally be eligible for Rs 2.58 lakh annually towards office contingencies, medical expenses, rehabilitation activities and rent. Maintenance assistance of up to Rs 700 per resident will also be provided to meet the day-to-day expenses of inmates.
The scheme is open to native Goans aged 18 years and above who require temporary shelter and rehabilitation.
Women admitted to shelter homes will be permitted to keep their young children with them until they reach the age of seven. Thereafter, the children may be shifted to child care institutions or foster care facilities through the Child Welfare Committee.
The government said the scheme seeks to support people without family or social networks while helping them achieve social and economic rehabilitation through skill development and counselling.
Financial assistance will be subject to strict eligibility conditions. Only registered NGOs, public trusts, local bodies and government agencies with experience in running shelter homes or related welfare programmes will qualify.
Eligible organisations must demonstrate sound financial management, adequate infrastructure and trained personnel before receiving assistance.
The government has also introduced monitoring mechanisms to ensure accountability. Grants must be fully utilised within the financial year for the purpose for which they are sanctioned. Organisations will be required to submit utilisation certificates and audited accounts.
The concerned department will conduct periodic inspections, while NGOs will have to maintain detailed records of residents and submit annual reports on their activities. Any misuse of funds will invite recovery proceedings under law.
Each shelter home must accommodate a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 35 residents. A registered organisation can receive grant-in-aid for up to seven shelter homes across Goa.
For implementation and monitoring, the government will constitute a State Level Committee headed by the Social Welfare Minister.
The committee will include district magistrates, the Superintendent of Police (Crime), representatives of the Goa State Commission for Women, Directorate of Health Services, Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB), Directorate of Women and Child Development, Goa District Legal Services Authority and other departments.
The committee will oversee the implementation of the scheme and monitor the welfare and safety of residents.