A Spokesman of Social Justice and Empowerment Department said that under National Family Assistance Scheme (NFAS) of National Social Assistance Programme of Rural Development Ministry, Government of India, an assistance of Rs. 10,000 is being provided to the BPL families in case of death of the earning member of the family. He said that the age of the deceased should be between 18 to 64 years.
Till now, Director, Social Justice and Empowerment Department was empowered to release the assistance on the basis of proposal of Rural Development/Urban Development Departments, said he. He further said that from the current financial year, the State Government had authorized Deputy Commissioners to approve the assistance under this scheme. A budget to the tune of Rs. 2.70 crore had been allocated for the same under which allocation of Rs. 25 lakh each for the districts of Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kullu, Sirmaur and Una had been made. Rs. 30 lakh each for Mandi, Kangra and Shimla districts, Rs. 24 lakh for Solan district and Rs. 3 lakh each for Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti had been allocated.
The Spokesman said that the concerned Block Development Officer would forward the applications of the eligible persons to the District Welfare Officer within three days.
