Kanivu, the helping hand

Thiruvananthapuram: ‘Kanivu,’ a scheme to support the destitute announced in the budget, will be an enhanced version of the Asraya project of the Kudumbasree mission and Aswasa Kiranam scheme of the Kerala Social Security Mission which are extending support to over 1.5 lakh people.  

With the government earmarking Rs 100 crore for ‘Kanivu,’   over one lakh more are expected to  get the support. This will benefit bedridden people, those living in isolation and persons with acute mental disorder.

Food, medicine and care would be offered to such sections through Kudumbasree volunteers and ASHA workers, who will be imparted training and paid a monthly incentive of Rs 1,000.

Kudumbasree executive director A. Shajahan said that the beneficiaries for Kanivu would be selected on the basis of various indicators by the Kudumbasree community development societies.

An insurance cover to about 30 lakh people receiving social welfare pension, laptops to visually challenged students doing professional courses,  extending widow pension to those deserted by husbands for more than five years and enhancing old age pension  of those aged above 75 to Rs 1,500 are among the social security and welfare initiatives announced with a total outlay of Rs 583.52 crore.