The Manipur government on Thursday announced that the mode of implementation of the 'Chief Minister Covid-19 Affected Livelihood Support Scheme' has been reviewed considering the needs for early disbursement of assistance in regards to the constraints arising out of the curfew and other restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The scheme guidelines for the scheme has been published in the Official Gazette Extraordinary No 79, dated July 15, 2021, the Social Welfare department stated in a notification issued by secretary (Social Welfare) Ningthoujam Geoffrey.
Based on the review, it is further decided that implementation of the scheme will be taken up in phases, with priority to a certain categories of beneficiaries possessing valid registration card, permit, license or those included in specified verifiable list issued by competent authority of the state government, it stated.
The beneficiaries are categorised under street or woman vendors; performing artiste; labourer; public transport driver (Rickshaw puller, auto driver, etc.); school van driver; shop assistant; artisan and weaver, it added.
It further stated that assistance will be disbursed based on a database of beneficiaries of various relevant schemes as may be available with various line departments concerned, or on the basis of such verification mechanisms as may be separately required and specified for certain categories.
Disbursal of benefits to other categories of persons engaged in the informal sector, whose livelihoods have been affected by COVID-19 may be considered during the subsequent phase after considering the evolving COVID-19 situation. Scheme guidelines and application formats will be revised accordingly, wherever required, the Social Welfare department stated.
It has also been reported that certain unauthorised persons are illegally selling application formats or collecting money on the pretext of submitting application forms on behalf of prospective beneficiaries, it stated.
The Social Welfare department clarified that it has not issued any formal public notification for issue/submission of application forms. The public are therefore advised to refrain from dealing with unauthorised persons in connection with the scheme, it stated. Instances of such illegal activities should be brought to the notice of the director (Social Welfare) to enable initiation of appropriate legal / punitive action against such persons, it added.
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