Seva Bhoj Yojana was launched by the Ministry of Culture in August, 2018. Under the Seva Bhoj Yojana, Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Central Government’s share of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) paid on purchase of specific raw food items by the eligible Charitable/Religious Institutions for distributing free food to at least 5000 people in a calendar month are reimbursed to these organizations by the Government of India through the concerned GST Authority. The State-wise details of the charitable and religious institutions that have been benefitted under the Seva Bhoj Yojana as of January, 2025 are Annexed.

As per the guidelines of Seva Bhoj Yojana, a Certificate from District Magistrate indicating that the Charitable/Religious Institution is involved in Charitable/Religious activities and is distributing free food to public/devotees etc. since last three years at least on daily/monthly basis is mandatorily required, as one of the eligibility criteria, for these institutions in order to get enrolled on the CSMS Portal of the Ministry of Culture. However, the details of individuals benefitted indirectly through the free meals are not sought by the Ministry while providing the benefit of reimbursement, as mentioned at Sl. No. (a) above under the Seva Bhoj Yojana from Charitable /Religious Institutions.

Under the Seva Bhoj Yojana, Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Central Government’s share of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) paid on purchase of specific raw food items by the eligible Charitable/Religious Institutions for distributing free food to public are reimbursed to these organizations by the Government of India through the concerned GST Authority. The following procedure is adopted to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilization of funds granted under the Seva Bhoj Scheme: -

(i)    Upon registration with NGO Darpan Portal of NITI Aayog, the Charitable/Religious Institutions enrol and submit their application in CSMS Portal of the Ministry of Culture.

(ii)   After enrolment with the Ministry of Culture, the applicant submits its application along with a copy of the registration certificate issued by the Ministry of Culture to the Nodal Central Tax Officer in their concerned State/UT.

(iii)  The Nodal Central Tax Officer on receipt of the application and registration certificate generates a Unique Identity Number (UIN).

(iv)  Thereafter, the concerned GST Authority forward the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Central Government’s share of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) claims verified and passed by them in respect of the eligible Charitable/Religious Institutions to the Ministry for releasing the same.

(v)   The Ministry provides fund to the concerned GST Authority who further reimburses to these Charitable/Religious Institutions.

It has been the constant endeavour of the Ministry to promote all the schemes including Seva Bhoj Yojana and raise its awareness through various platforms viz. website of the Ministry, social media platforms etc. so that benefit of the scheme reaches to various types of eligible Charitable/Religious organizations situated across the country thereby leading to equitable representation of all religions and communities as the beneficiaries of the scheme.

The application and reimbursement process as mentioned at Sl. No. (c) above already ensures ease and faster reimbursement to the eligible Charitable/Religious Institutions.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Annexure

                                                                                                                                       (Rs.in lakhs)

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

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