THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Local Self Government Department has released the guidelines of the Fourteenth Five Year Plan, which includes assistance to various categories, including the provision of Rs 4000 per month to poor kidney patients at the rate of Rs 1000 per week. The annual income limit for availing benefits will be Rs 2 lakh for the general category and Rs 3 lakh for the Scheduled Castes. The income limit is not applicable for Scheduled Tribes. The income limit will not be an obstacle in providing financial assistance to those facing physical and mental challenges that deserve special consideration.
The salaries of BUDS school special teachers, assistant teachers, caretakers and group volunteers will be increased. Local bodies can decide the amount. Groups of at least two people to start micro-enterprises will be eligible for subsidy benefits.
Financial assistance for employment ventures
Financial assistance will be provided to those starting employment ventures regardless of their income. The annual income limit of entrepreneurs for availing benefits for self-employed entrepreneurial projects has been increased to Rs.5 lakhs. The guidelines also include concepts such as entrepreneurs' interest subsidy, technology transfer fund, technology upgrade fund, innovation fund and seed support fund.
Waste treatment