The Department has introduced a scheme namely “Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNT Communities (SEED)”, for welfare of DNT communities, having following four components:-

(i)  To provide coaching of good quality for DNT candidates to enable them to appear in competitive examinations; 

(ii)  To provide Health Insurance to them;

(iii)  To facilitate livelihood initiative at community level; and

(iv)  To provide financial assistance for construction of houses for members of these communities.

Around 4703 applications have been received under the scheme and these have been forwarded to concerned States/UTs for physical verification.

This information was given by Minister of State for Ministry of Social Justice and

Empowerment Sushri Pratima Bhoumik in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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MG/PD