The Ashraya Scheme is a government scheme in Kerala for poorer people. It has been started keeping in mind those who are very poor and cannot meet even their basic needs so that they can fulfil their daily needs. This plan is under Kudumbashree. This scheme is not like other schemes. Under this scheme, help is given to those who need it. For example, if someone needs food, food is given; if someone needs a house, a house is given; and many other things. This help is provided through the Gram Panchayat.
Now let’s see who is eligible for this scheme, how to apply, and all other important information.
Ashraya Scheme
The Ashraya Scheme plays an important role in improving the lives of extremely poor families who struggle to meet even their basic daily needs. By providing customised support such as housing, food, healthcare, education, and skill training, the scheme ensures that no family is left behind.
The active involvement of Gram Panchayats and Kudumbashree helps in properly identifying needy families and providing continuous assistance until their living conditions improve. Overall, the Ashraya Scheme not only provides immediate relief but also helps families become self-dependent, giving them the opportunity to live with dignity and hope for a better future.
Ashraya Scheme: Overview
| Name | Details |
| Scheme | The Ashraya Scheme |
| State | Kerala |
| For whom | Extremely poor people |
| Aim | Fulfillment of basic needs for all |
| Implemented Year | 2002 |
| Application Method | Offline |
Ashraya Scheme
The Ashraya Scheme is a unique initiative of the Kerala government, implemented through Kudumbashree, to support extremely poor families who struggle to meet even their basic needs. Unlike many other schemes, it provides customized assistance based on the specific needs of each family, such as housing, food, healthcare, education, skill training, and sanitation. Through the active involvement of Gram Panchayats, eligible families are carefully identified, verified, and provided continuous support until their living conditions improve. Overall, the scheme aims to help the poorest households live with dignity and gradually become self-reliant.
Benefits of this Program
Housing help:
- All poor people who do not have their own house are provided with arrangements for a house.
Meal for the family:
- Those who cannot arrange three meals a day are given food so that they can satisfy their hunger.
Help for health:
- If there is any physical problem and they cannot make a medical effort, they are given help.
- If someone has a serious illness and needs medicine, they are assisted.
Support for schooling:
- If a family cannot afford books or fees, or in short, cannot continue education, under this scheme, those families are helped.
Skill training:
- Unemployed adults are taught various skills so that they can earn and meet their own needs.
Basic help like water, sanitation, etc.
If there is no clean water or toilet arrangement, help is provided for that.
Help for the poor
- Under this scheme, extremely poor people are helped from all sides so that they can live independently.
How it works
Role of Panchayat and other groups:
- Local Gram Panchayat and other relevant groups are given the responsibility to identify extremely poor families.
Verification:
- After identification, the information is verified to check if it is correct.
Plan for the family:
- A plan is prepared for those poor families on how help will be provided.
Support for the family:
- Verified eligible families are given help according to their needs, such as medicine, meals, education, sanitation, skill training, and many other things.
- All this help is provided through the Panchayat.
Follow-up:
- Help is not only given once; the situation of each family is followed up on until everything is fine.
- Additional help is provided if needed, according to the specific needs of each family.
Achievements of this Programme
Getting a meal:
- Extremely poor people get the meals they cannot afford.
Healthy body:
- If there is illness or a need for medicine, those who cannot afford it receive support and can stay healthy.
Education:
- Children who cannot attend school can pay school fees, buy books, and continue their education.
Livelihood:
- Adults in the family are given various training so they can use those skills to earn, enabling the family to meet their food needs.
Clean drinking water and sanitation:
- Poor people under this scheme can use clean water and toilets.
- Altogether, extremely poor families experience some improvement in their living conditions.
FAQs – Ashraya Scheme
1. What is the Ashraya Scheme?
The Ashraya Scheme is a welfare program launched by the Kerala government to support extremely poor families who cannot meet their basic daily needs such as food, housing, healthcare, and education.
2. Who can apply for the Ashraya Scheme?
Families living in extreme poverty and facing serious difficulties in meeting basic needs like shelter, food, health treatment, or education are eligible for this scheme.
3. What benefits are provided under the Ashraya Scheme?
The scheme provides various benefits such as housing support, food assistance, healthcare help, educational support for children, skill training for employment, and basic facilities like clean water and sanitation.
4. How is the Ashraya Scheme implemented?
The scheme is implemented through Kudumbashree with the help of Gram Panchayats, which identify and verify eligible families and ensure they receive the required support.
5. How can someone apply for the Ashraya Scheme?
Eligible families need to apply offline through their local Gram Panchayat, where the authorities assess their condition and verify their eligibility.
6. Is the same type of assistance provided to every beneficiary?
No, the assistance is provided based on the specific needs of each family. For example, some may receive housing support, while others may get food, healthcare, or education assistance.
7. How long does it take to receive benefits under the scheme?
After identification and verification, eligible families may start receiving benefits within a few weeks or months, depending on their needs.
8. Does the scheme provide long-term support?
Yes, the scheme follows up with families regularly and provides continued support until their living conditions improve.
9. Is there any official website for the Ashraya Scheme?
Yes, information about the scheme can be found on the Kudumbashree or Kerala government official websites.
10. What is the main objective of the Ashraya Scheme?
The main objective is to help extremely poor families meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life so that they can become independent and live with dignity.
