Chhattisgarh govt launches Unemployment Allowance Scheme, offering Rs 2500 monthly allowance to unemployed youth

Raipur: Chhattisgarh government on Saturday launched the Unemployment Allowance Scheme, which aims to provide a monthly allowance of Rs 2500 to eligible unemployed youth in the state. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel launched this ambitious scheme from his residence office here today. 

Launching the scheme, he handed over unemployment allowance approval orders to four youths. The scheme will entail eligible beneficiaries receiving a direct monthly allowance of Rs 2500 credited to their bank accounts. Moreover, unemployed individuals will receive skill development training and assistance to help them secure employment.

Eligibility Criteria

To receive unemployment benefits, the applicant must meet the specified criteria and conditions. The applicant must be a resident of Chhattisgarh and between the ages of 18-35 as on April 1 of the year of application, having a minimum qualification of higher secondary education (12th grade) from a recognized board. The applicant must be registered with the District Employment and Self-Employment Guidance Center and their registration for employment should be at least two years old as of April 1 this year. The applicant should not have any source of income and their family’s annual income must not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh. The family refers to the applicant’s spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents. An income certificate issued by Tehsildar or higher revenue officer for family income should be made within 1 year from the date of application for unemployment allowance.

Ineligibility Criteria

If multiple members of the family meet the eligibility criteria of the scheme, then only one member of the family will be approved for the unemployment allowance. The member who is older in age will be selected for the unemployment allowance in such a scenario. If both members are of the same age, the one who registered first in the employment office will be eligible for the unemployment allowance. In case of equality in age and date of employment registration, the member with a higher educational qualification will be eligible.

If any member of the applicant’s family is employed in any position other than the fourth category or Group D in any institution or local body of the Central or State Government, then the applicant will be ineligible for the unemployment allowance. Besides, if the applicant is offered self-employment or a job in the government or private sector, but they refuse the offer, then they will also be ineligible for the unemployment allowance.

The family members of former and current ministers, parliament or state legislative assembly members, former or current mayors of municipal corporations, and former or current chairpersons of zila panchayats will not be eligible for unemployment benefits. The family members of pensioners who receive a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 or more will also be ineligible for unemployment benefits. 

Families who have paid income tax in the previous assessment year will also be ineligible for unemployment benefits. The family members of other professionals such as engineers, doctors, lawyers, chartered accountants, and architects registered with professional bodies, will also be ineligible for unemployment benefits.

Application Procedure

The Director of Employment and Training will publish an advertisement for the Unemployment Allowance Scheme every year, and interested applicants must apply online at www.berojgaribhatta.cg.nic.in. Offline applications will not be accepted. The applicant must first register their mobile number on the website, enter the OTP at the time of registration, and after OTP verification, create their login password. Thereafter, the applicant can log in to submit the application on the portal using the registered mobile number. The applicant must upload all their basic information on the portal in the prescribed format.

In the online application, the applicant must provide the address of the same Janpad Panchayat or urban body from where their Chhattisgarh domicile certificate has been issued, so that they can be called for document verification in the same area. Married women must provide the residential address of the area from where their husband’s domicile certificate has been issued.

After applying online, the applicant must take a printout of the application and sign it. It is mandatory for the applicant to appear in person for verification with the original copy of all other certificates on the scheduled date and time. The date, venue, and time for verification will be displayed on the dashboard of the portal. The dashboard will also provide information on eligibility, ineligibility, appeal decisions, payment of unemployment allowance, and skill training offers.

Appeal and Complaint Procedure and Disposal

If an applicant is declared ineligible, they may file an online appeal within 15 days along with supporting documents on the portal. The appeal will be resolved by the Collector or an officer authorized by the Collector within 15 days, and the decision will be uploaded on the portal.

In case an ineligible applicant is declared eligible and there is evidence to suggest that the decision is incorrect, any person can file a complaint with the Collector or authorized officer. The decision in such cases will be taken after a hearing, within 15 days. Information regarding this decision will also be uploaded on the portal. If the complaint is found to be valid, the unemployment allowance of the applicant will be stopped, and legal action will be taken.

Payment of Unemployment Allowance

Under the Unemployment Allowance Scheme, the Directorate of Employment and Training, Nava Raipur will transfer a monthly payment of Rs. 2500 directly to the beneficiary’s bank account. The applicant must provide the correct information regarding their savings bank account number and IFSC code at the time of application. Any non-payment resulting from an error in the bank account details will be the sole responsibility of the applicant.

Duration of Unemployment Allowance

The eligible beneficiaries under the scheme will receive the unemployment allowance for the initial period of one year. If the beneficiary fails to secure employment during this period, the allowance may be extended for an additional year. However, the total period of unemployment allowance shall not exceed two years in any case.

Skill Development Training

The approved applicants of the scheme will be offered skill development training within one year and will be aided in finding employment afterward. The training will be offered free of cost in one of the trades mentioned in the application. However, if the applicants decline the training or the job offer, their unemployment allowance will be discontinued.

Review of beneficiaries

The Panchayats and authorities concerned shall monitor the status of unemployment allowance beneficiaries every 6 months to verify their continued eligibility. If any beneficiary is found to be ineligible during the investigation, a notice will be issued and their unemployment allowance will be stopped after a hearing. The information regarding this decision will be uploaded to the portal.

If a beneficiary secures employment while receiving the unemployment allowance, they must update their employment status on the portal. Failure to do so will result in the immediate discontinuation of the allowance upon receipt of information by the Panchayat or authority concerned through alternative means. Information regarding the discontinuation of the allowance will be uploaded to the portal, and legal action may be taken against the beneficiary concerned.

The Skill Development, Technical Education, and Employment Departments have been designated as nodal departments for this scheme. Eligible beneficiaries will receive monthly unemployment allowance payments through online mode, which will be managed by the Directorate of Employment and Training.