Housing assistance instalments for 32,000 families this fiscal: Minister

The government is taking urgent steps to disburse the first and second instalments of housing assistance to 32,000 families this financial year through the departments of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, Minister for SC, ST and Backward Classes Welfare K.A. Thulasi has said.She was speaking after inaugurating the ‘Snehasparsham’ programme, organised by Kattakambal grama panchayat as part of its 2026-27 annual plan on Monday. The programme included the distribution of financial assistance to dialysis patients, collection of used syringes from households and a medical camp.The Life Mission housing assistance has been enhanced from ₹4 lakh to ₹6 lakh, while the allocation for housing for ST families has been raised to ₹8 lakh, the Minister said. ST women are also eligible for assistance of up to ₹15 lakh for self-employment ventures, with a 75% subsidy. Financial support is being provided to students for competitive examination coaching, including Civil Services.Emergency medical assistance is available through the SC/ST departments in addition to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund. Applicants can apply through Akshaya centres with a doctor’s certificate. SC families who lose their earning member are also eligible for emergency assistance of ₹2 lakh.The Minister said the Panchami and Ambedkar schemes, with allocations of ₹40 lakh and ₹1 crore respectively, would support the development of settlements through improvements to roads, drinking water, electricity and housing.Kattakambal grama panchayat president K. Jayasankar presided over the function. Published - November 10, 2026 09:12 pm IST