ASHRAYA ADHAR SCHEME

Empowering Goa's Tribal Homes, One Brick at a Time

- Gauri Ghadge

In the dazzling mosaic that is Goa, where the sea sings its lullaby to palm-fringed shores and heritage structures whisper tales of time, there exist quieter, often overlooked corners. These are the homes of Goa's Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, many of which stand worn and weary, in dire need of structural support.

Recognising this silent yet pressing need, the Government of Goa launched the Ashraya Adhar Scheme, a transformative initiative that offers not just financial assistance but the promise of dignity, security, and upliftment for tribal families.

A SHELTER WITH PURPOSE

Introduced by the Goa State Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation Limited, under the Department of Tribal Welfare, the Ashraya Adhar Scheme is specifically designed to provide low-interest financial assistance to ST individuals for the repair, renovation, or reconstruction of their homes. This includes mundcarial homes and jointly owned residences, with provisions that ensure no tribal household is left behind due to procedural or financial constraints.

At the heart of this scheme is a fundamental belief: every Goan deserves a safe, resilient home, a space that shelters both their memories and their aspirations.

FINANCIAL RELIEF, STRUCTURALLY SOUND

The scheme offers financial assistance of up to 5,00,000, issued in the form of a loan at an exceptionally low interest rate of 2% per annum. This makes the scheme far more accessible than traditional bank loans, which often come with prohibitive rates and rigid eligibility conditions.

The disbursement is strategically broken into two instalments:

• 3,75,000 is released immediately after loan approval.