Greater announcements have been made for Kudumbashree in Kerala Government's Budget for the 2021-22 financial year, presented by Dr.T.M Thomas Issac, Minister of Finance, Government of Kerala at Kerala Legislative Assembly on 15 January 2021. This budget could undoubtedly be called as 'Kudumbashree's Own Budget', as that many opportunities have been made available for Kudumbashree in this budget. Altogether, Kudumbashree has the Annual Budget of Rs. 1749 crores. This is indeed a record achievement.
Rs 260 crores is earmarked for Kudumbashree, including Rs 60 crores as Livelihood Package, as the state plan fund in the State Budget. In addition to this, Rs 125 crores is specially allotted for various projects such as Skill Training Programme, Vidyashree Laptop Scheme, Rebuild Kerala, Asraya, Snehitha etc. Rs 300 crores is also alloted as the interest subsidy for the Chief Minister's Helping Hand Loan Scheme and Vidyashree Laptop Scheme. Also, Rs 1064 crores is earmarked for various centrally sponsored programmes being implemented through Kudumbashree. During the budget speech, the Hon Finance Minister had mentioned about ‘Kudumbashree’ about 40 times. Also, Kudumbashree is included either as the Implementing Agency or as the Main Partner in many important projects of the Government of Kerala. This could be considered as the recognition for the project implementation through Kudumbashree..
The details of some key announcements include :
- Skill training (Rs 5 crores)
- Expansion of Vidhyashree Laptop Scheme
- Formation of one lakh farming groups, making agriculture loans available at lower interest rates
- Collateral free loans for Micro Enterprises under the guarantee of District Missions
- Support for clusters of enterprises
- Special scheme for the livelihood of those who get skill training through Kudumbashree and support for ARISE Multi Task teams
- Janakeeya Hotels, Vegetable Sales Outlets and Home Shops in all LSGIs
- Chain of Coir and Craft Stores
- Micro Plans through Kudumbashree to wipe off poverty
- Wayanad Coffee and Vending Machines and kiosks(Rs 20 crores)
- Insurance plans by including Kudumbashree
- Smart Kitchen programme to encourage introduction of needy machines in the household chores for minimizing the workload of women
- Mapping of Crimes against Women (Rs 20 crores)
- Rs 7 crores for Snehitha
- Auxiliary Units to give membership to young women
- Increase in the honorarium of CDS Chairpersons
- Travel Allowance for CDS Members
- BUDS Schools in 250 LSGIs
- Vayo Clubs (Clubs for elderly) in every ward
- Additional allotment of Rs 46.87 crores for the Rebuild Kerala Initiative.
There has been notable growth in the plan share of Kudumbashree during the last 5 years. During 2015-16, Rs 75 crores was received. Whereas, during 2016-17, it was Rs 130 crores and during 2017-18 financial year Rs 161 crores was received. During 2018-19 financial year Rs 188 crores was received as plan share. Rs 183.25 crores was given during 2019-20 and Rs 200 crores was given to Kudumbashree during 2020-21 as plan share. Likewise, the plan share for Kudumbashree has increased more than double within the last 6 years and this could be considered a great achievement. Also, the funds for the centrally sponsored programmes such as NULM (National Urban Livelihood Mission), NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission), PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana), DDU-GKY (Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana) and SVEP (Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme), which are being implemented through Kudumbashree is also increasing every year.
This could also be considered as the recognition for the excellent project implementation by ‘team Kudumbashree’.
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