PANAJI
In a major initiative aimed at strengthening last-mile delivery of welfare services for Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, the State government has notified the “Dharti Aaba Suvidha Kendra” (DASK) scheme, under which dedicated facilitation centres will be established in every Village Panchayat where the ST population exceeds 35 per cent.
Announced by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in the 2026-27 Budget, the scheme seeks to bridge gaps in access to government services caused by administrative distance, lack of awareness, digital exclusion and geographical isolation in tribal areas.
According to the notification, the DASK centres will function as integrated one-stop facilities to provide information, assistance and convergence of welfare schemes meant for tribal communities. The centres will be operated through NGOs or charitable trusts and will focus on improving accessibility, promoting inclusion and facilitating grievance redressal.
The government said the centres will assist tribal families in availing benefits under various State and central schemes, including housing, scholarships, pensions and forest rights. They will also provide digital support for Aadhaar-linked services, collect documents locally to reduce travel burdens, maintain databases of tribal beneficiaries and facilitate caste certificate applications.
A key objective of the scheme is to ensure 100 per cent coverage of all eligible ST beneficiaries under welfare schemes implemented by various government departments.
Beyond welfare facilitation, the centres will also undertake activities related to health, education, skill development and livelihoods. These include organising health camps and immunisation drives in coordination with health institutions, promoting nutrition and maternal health awareness, conducting vocational and digital literacy training, and supporting traditional craft-based entrepreneurship.
The DASK centres will further assist Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and tribal entrepreneurs by providing guidance on credit access, subsidies and market linkages. Job fairs and entrepreneurship promotion programmes will also be organised for tribal youth.
The scheme additionally aims to preserve and promote tribal culture through support for local festivals, folk art exhibitions and cultural exchange programmes.
Significantly, the centres will play a role in implementing the Forest Rights Act, 2006, including creating awareness, conducting training and capacity-building programmes, and facilitating the processing and settlement of claims under the Act. They will also assist the Tribal Research Institute in maintaining and updating tribal population records and identifying local development needs under the Tribal Sub-Plan.
To run the centres, the government will provide recurring grants covering salaries, operational expenses and programme activities. Each centre will have one graduate resource person receiving a monthly honorarium of Rs 30,000, one multi-tasking staff member receiving Rs 18,000 per month, and two volunteers receiving Rs 25,000 per month. Annual increments of three per cent will be applicable.
Additional support includes up to Rs 10,000 per month towards rent, Rs 25,000 annually for stationery and printing, and up to Rs 1 lakh per year for conducting activities under the scheme.
The government will also provide a one-time non-recurring grant of Rs 1.5 lakh for procuring computers, printers, smartphones, furniture and other essential equipment.
