Social Welfare Department

The Social Welfare Department of the Maharashtra Government’s Social Justice and Special Assistance Division implements various initiatives through the District Council’s Social Welfare Department to ensure equal opportunities and social justice for Scheduled Castes and other underprivileged groups in rural areas, focusing on education, economic development, and social security. This department implements various welfare schemes to uplift the Scheduled Castes and other weaker sections of society. It provides financial assistance for education, training, skill development, employment generation, housing, and other essential needs.

To enhance the social and educational standards of backward classes and support their advancement, the District Councils are required to allocate at least 20% of their income towards welfare schemes for the backward classes. The implementation and supervision of these schemes are carried out through the Social Welfare Department.

Schemes Implemented by the Social Welfare Department

Development of Settlements of Scheduled Castes and Neo-Buddhist Communities Under the scheme for the development of settlements of Scheduled Castes and Neo-Buddhist communities, basic amenities are provided in these localities. This includes the construction of essential infrastructure such as water supply systems, internal roads, drainage systems, paved blocks, streetlights, and community halls. Depending on the population of the settlement, financial aid ranging from ₹4 lakh to ₹40 lakh is allocated for these developmental activities.

Inter-Caste Marriage Incentive Grant Scheme

The primary objective of the Social Welfare Department’s Inter-Caste Marriage Incentive Scheme is to reduce caste-based discrimination and promote social unity and harmony. Under this scheme, if one partner belongs to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Denotified Tribes (Vimukta Jati), Nomadic Tribes, and the other partner belongs to the upper-caste Hindu, Lingayat, Jain, or Sikh communities, the marriage is considered inter-caste. Additionally, marriages between different subgroups within Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Denotified Tribes (Vimukta Jati), and Nomadic Tribes are also recognized as inter-caste marriages. This scheme is designed to foster social cohesion and help integrate individuals from Scheduled Castes and Tribes into mainstream society. As part of the initiative, the government provides financial assistance of ₹50,000 to couples who enter into inter-caste marriages.

Assistance Grant for Subsidized Hostels for Backward Classes

The primary objective of this scheme is to provide educational opportunities to economically weaker students belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Denotified Tribes (Vimukta Jati), Nomadic Tribes, and Special Backward Classes. The scheme ensures the provision of accommodation, food, and basic amenities to maintain continuity in education, reduce dropout rates, and promote social and economic upliftment. Under the jurisdiction of the District Council, Pune, a total of 82 subsidized hostels are currently operational.

Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme

The primary objective of this scheme is to provide financial assistance to students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Denotified Tribes (Vimukta Jati), and Special Backward Classes studying in grades 5 to 10. It aims to encourage them to continue their schooling, reduce dropout rates, provide equal educational opportunities, and contribute to their socio-economic upliftment. The scholarship amount is directly deposited into the students’ bank accounts to ease their financial burden and help cover educational expenses.

Under this scheme, the following scholarships are provided:

1. Savitribai Phule Scholarship Scheme
2. Government of India Pre-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste Students in Grades 9 and 10
3. Pre-Matric Scholarship for Children of Parents Engaged in Unclean Occupations, Including Waste Collecting
4. Educational and Examination Fee Assistance for Backward Class Students
5. Merit-Based Scholarship for Secondary School Students.

Earn and Learn” Scheme

Under the District Council’s 20% Cess Fund, the Social Welfare Department implements the “Earn and Learn” Scheme to support financially weaker and aspiring students. The primary aim of this scheme is to provide students with part-time job opportunities at educational institutions or other locations to help them cover their educational expenses.

This initiative promotes self-reliance, enhances education and skill development, and reduces dropout rates among students facing financial challenges during higher education. By assisting students in overcoming financial barriers, the scheme fosters confidence and independence.

The program is funded through the District Council’s 20% Cess Fund, ensuring direct support for students in need.

Internship Program for BBA Students through MKCL

Under this scheme, BBA students enrolled through MKCL are appointed as interns in various departments of the District Council to gain hands-on experience in administrative work. These students receive a stipend ranging from ₹12,000 to ₹14,000 per month.

Divyang Housing Scheme

This initiative aims to provide secure, dignified, and stable housing to economically weaker and homeless individuals with disabilities. The scheme focuses on improving their standard of living, fostering social and economic empowerment, increasing self-reliance, ensuring access to basic amenities, and creating inclusive development opportunities. It also promotes rehabilitation, helping beneficiaries lead independent lives.

Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive an incentive grant of ₹1,20,000 through the Pune District Council.

Yashwant Housing Scheme

This scheme supports economically weaker and homeless beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Denotified Tribes (Vimukta Jati), and Nomadic Tribes by providing safe, dignified, and stable housing. The goal is to promote social and economic upliftment, offer liveable spaces with basic amenities, contribute to poverty eradication, and improve their quality of life while ensuring social harmony and inclusive development.

Through this scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive an incentive grant of ₹1,20,000 from the Pune District Council.

From Community Centres to Knowledge Hubs Initiative

This scheme aims to develop community centres in rural areas into comprehensive knowledge hubs for educational, social, and cultural activities. It ensures access to libraries, study rooms, and digital learning facilities for students and citizens, enabling skill development training and educational empowerment for disadvantaged groups. The initiative promotes knowledge-based societal growth and enhances community learning resources.

Under this scheme, 596 community centres within the Pune District Council are being upgraded, receiving uniform renovations, library resources, computers, and other facilities to support learning and development.

Provision of Livelihood Allowance Grant for Severely Disabled Individuals

The primary objective of this scheme is to provide monthly financial assistance to individuals with more than 60% disability to help them overcome economic instability, meet basic needs, and support medical and daily expenses. The scheme ensures social and economic security, allowing them to live dignified lives, and aims to improve their standard of living by offering necessary aid for self-reliance. Under this scheme, 9,205 eligible beneficiaries in the Pune District Council receive an annual livelihood allowance of ₹6,000.

• Telephone : 020-26131774
• Address : District Level Office