CANACONA
The State government has formulated a policy to provide financial aid of up to Rs 5 lakh to tribal couples seeking costly treatment for infertility problems.
Speaking informally to a section of reporters, Agriculture minister Ramesh Tawadkar, stated that several families in the tribal community have been hit by infertility problems, which had led them to face social stigma while also leading to a breakdown in marriages.
“As the cost for infertility treatment is exorbitant, most tribal couples are unable to even consider seeking high-cost treatments to overcome the infertility problem,” Tawadkar said.
“As such, the government has decided to assist these couples financially and accordingly, the Tribal Welfare Department (TWD) has formulated a policy to provide financial aid of Rs 4-5 lakh to these couples desiring to undergo infertility treatment.”
“This will provide some relief to the couples who are unable to seek costly treatment,” the minister said.
Speaking further, Tawadkar informed that 150-200 tribal farmers from any region can come together and form a farmers' society. “The TWD will provide them financial assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh to build or develop infrastructure needed by them. The TWD will also pay salaries to a clerk and peon to operate the society, and provide Rs 25,000 as annual grant towards stationery,” Tawadkar said.
“The government will also appoint experts to provide technical, marketing expertise to these tribal farmers' societies, with an aim to increase self employment in agriculture sector.”
Tawadkar further hinted that the staff salary funding and stationery aid could be extended in future to other farmers societies in the State.
