Atal Aasra Yojana

• The Goa government's 'Atal Aasra Yojana' is a significant initiative aimed at improving the living standards of the state's Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.

• Implemented by the Department of Tribal Welfare, the scheme aims to provide financial assistance to needy families for the construction, reconstruction, and repair of houses.

• Recently, the government proposed an increase in the financial assistance provided under the scheme, which will enable more beneficiaries to avail themselves of housing-related benefits.

• Under the proposed amendments, the assistance amount for house repairs will be raised from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh.

• Meanwhile, there is a plan to increase the assistance for constructing a new house or reconstructing an old one from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.

• The government believes that, given the rise in construction material and labor costs, this measure will provide adequate financial support to tribal families.

• This initiative will not only help provide safe and better housing but also foster the socio-economic empowerment of Scheduled Tribe communities.