Varkala
Block Panchayat

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) - (PMAY-G)

The objective of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is to provide government financial assistance for house construction to individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and other communities who live below the poverty line. Beneficiaries must own at least 2.5 cents of land and must not possess a habitable house.

The order of priority is as follows:

Released bonded laborers

SC/ST families who have been victims of atrocities

SC/ST families headed by widows or unmarried women

SC/ST families affected by natural calamities

Widows of armed forces personnel

Other SC/ST families living below the poverty line

Persons with disabilities and the intellectually challenged

Families with members suffering from life-threatening diseases

The house is allotted in the name of a female member of the beneficiary family. It may also be allotted jointly in the names of both the husband and wife. The plinth area of ​​the house must exceed 20 square meters. The house must be equipped with a smokeless stove and a sanitary latrine. An amount of ₹4 lakh is sanctioned for beneficiaries across all categories. The implementation and funding of the scheme are carried out jointly by local self-government institutions and the Central and State governments. The beneficiaries bear full responsibility for the construction of the house. Financial assistance for construction is disbursed in installments based on the progress of the work. The Central Government's assistance of ₹1,20,000 is sanctioned after the site is geo-tagged on the Central Government's portal. This amount is released in three stages, contingent upon the completion of the house. The funding is shared between the Central and State governments in a 60:40 ratio: the Central share is ₹72,000, the State share is ₹48,000, and the local body's share is ₹2,80,000.

Beneficiaries are selected through the PMAY Awas Plus list. Financial assistance can only be provided to beneficiaries whose details have been recorded on the Awas Plus portal. Within the Varkala Block Panchayat area, 884 beneficiaries have been included in the Awas Plus list. Financial assistance has been provided to 280 beneficiaries during the 2025-26 period. National Savings Scheme

The National Savings Scheme is a key initiative launched by the Government of India to foster a habit of saving among the public, irrespective of their economic status. Development blocks play a crucial role in the implementation of this scheme. It engages the rural population in the development process through Post Office Recurring Deposit accounts. To facilitate this, a dedicated group of women serving as MPKBY (Mahila Pradhan Kshetriya Bachat Yojana) agents operates under the supervision of the Block Development Officer. The General Extension Officer assists the Block Development Officer in matters related to the appointment and operational supervision of these MPKBY agents.

Additionally, SAS (Standardized Agency System) agents are appointed through the block to encourage the public to invest in schemes such as Kisan Vikas Patra, National Savings Scheme (VIII Issue), Public Provident Fund, Pension Deposit Schemes, Monthly Income Schemes, Post Office Term Deposits, and the National Savings Scheme 1992. The scheme is distinguished by its ability to provide a livelihood for educated women, strengthen the financial foundation for national development, and ensure security for investors. The current interest rates for various national savings schemes are listed below:

**Total Sanitation Campaign**

Although we have made significant strides in our material living conditions, sanitation practices appear to be confined largely to personal hygiene. The failure to ensure timely waste disposal and processing contributes to the spread of waterborne and other diseases. The state needs to be made free from waterborne diseases through measures such as constructing sanitary latrines in all homes and establishments, ensuring the safe handling and disposal of solid and liquid waste, and maintaining personal and community hygiene.

Various initiatives are being implemented, including awareness programs, rural production centers, individual household latrines, community sanitation complexes, sanitation units in government schools (in accordance with school sanitation programs), health education classes, and child-friendly toilets in Anganwadis. Under the guidance of the State and District Suchitwa Missions, the Block Panchayat is implementing numerous schemes to achieve permanent solutions to issues in the sanitation and waste management sector.

VB-G RAM G (Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural))

VB-G RAM G is a scheme implemented by the Central Government aimed at ensuring employment and developing infrastructure in rural areas. The primary objective of the scheme is to guarantee 125 days of employment to rural households in a financial year and to create durable assets for the comprehensive development of villages. Special emphasis is placed on water conservation, infrastructure development, livelihood enhancement, and climate change resilience activities. The Central Government has decided to implement the scheme starting from July 1, 2026.

The works that can be undertaken are listed below:

Water conservation activities: Rainwater harvesting ponds, check dams, canal renovation, well-recharging projects, water conservation bunds, wetland conservation, watershed development, and tree planting (afforestation).

Rural infrastructure (Core Rural Infrastructure) projects: Rural road construction, construction/renovation of public buildings, school infrastructure development, Anganwadi building construction, sanitation facilities, waste management centers, solar energy systems, and infrastructure ancillary to housing schemes.

Livelihood development (Livelihood Infrastructure) projects: Creation of agriculture-related assets, livestock... Rearing centers, fish farming ponds, fodder cultivation development, agricultural produce storage facilities, rural markets, skill development centers, and value-added agricultural enterprises.

Climate resilience projects: Flood control bunds, sea surge protection measures, disaster management infrastructure, forest fire prevention measures, construction of rehabilitation facilities, and assets for natural disaster mitigation.

Food grain storage center.

Items/facilities required at the work site:

Muster roll, site diary, and information board.

First aid box, drinking water facility, and shaded area.

Project site photographs: Photos taken before work begins, during the work, and after completion.

Report from the Ward-level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee prior to the final payment for the work.

Measurement book, bills, and other related documents.

No new workers should be inducted other than those present when the work commenced.

Workers' rights:

Right to obtain a job card.

Right to demand work and receive employment within 15 days.

Right to unemployment allowance.

Planning of works and 'Shelf of...' Right to have projects prepared

Right to employment within a 5-kilometer radius of one's home

Right to access necessary facilities at the workplace

Right to receive the approved wage rate

Right to receive wages within 15 days

Right to timely grievance redressal and fair compensation in the event of delayed wage payments

Right to conduct social audits

**Mikavu**

'Mikavu' is a scheme implemented to enhance the income of employment guarantee workers by upgrading their skills—transforming them into skilled workers—through job training integrated with their work.

**Unnathi**

'Unnathi' is another training scheme implemented to enhance the occupational skills of workers. It provides job training, with the support of the DDU-GKY scheme, to individuals aged between 18 and 45 from families that have completed 125 days of employment. In addition to providing free job training, wages for up to 100 days are provided during the training period.