Landless labourers from backward communities to get 100% grants to buy land in Maha

Scheme was first rolled out in 2004 to provide monetary assistance to landless labourers from SC and Neo-Buddhist communities

Ahead of the 2019 elections, Maharashtra government has decided to give more sops to landless labourers from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Neo-Buddhist communities. State has decided to give them ₹20 lakh and ₹16 lakh for purchasing non-irrigated and irrigated land for their livelihood. The decision was taken in the state cabinet meeting on Tuesday. So far, the grant was capped at ₹6 lakh and an equal amount of loan was given to purchase land.

the state has set aside ₹40 crore for the scheme for this year, which might be increased. (Pic for representation/HT)

Under Karmveer Dadasaheb Gaikwad Empowerment Scheme, the state provides grant and equal amount of loan to landless labourers from SC and Neo-Buddhist communist to buy land to earn a livelihood.

“A beneficiary under the scheme will now become eligible to receive ₹5 lakh per acre (for maximum four acre land) to purchase non-irrigated land. For purchasing irrigated land, a beneficiary will get ₹8 lakh per acre (for maximum 2 acre) to purchase irrigated land,” said Dinesh Waghmare, secretary, social justice department.

The scheme was first rolled out in 2004 to provide monetary assistance to landless labourers from SC and Neo-Buddhist communities. Both the communities contribute to 11.8% of state’s population.

Waghmare said the state has set aside ₹40 crore for the scheme for this year, which might be increased. “The state uses lottery system for selecting beneficiaries, as we get lots of applications every year and all of them cannot be accommodated considering our limitations,” he added.