SEVA BHOJ YOJANA

Prelims – Current events of national and international importance | Government policies and interventions.

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Culture published state-wise and institution-wise data on the financial assistance disbursed under the Seva Bhoj Yojana.

Aim - To reimburse Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Central Government’s share of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) as financial assistance, paid on purchase of specific raw food items.
It is a Central Sector Scheme.
Launched by –Ministry of Culture in 2018.
Eligibility – It will be applicable only to charitable/ religious institutions that fulfill the eligibility criteria.
Quantum of assistance – Financial assistance in the form of reimbursement shall be provided where the institution has already paid GST on any of the raw food items.
- Raw food items - Ghee, Edible oil, Sugar, Burra, Jaggery, Rice, Atta, Maida, Rava, Pulses.

Criteria for financial assistance
- Legal Registration – Registered under Income Tax Act, 1961 or Companies Act or Companies Act, 1956 or Societies Registration Act, 1860, for charitable/religious purposes.
- Existence – Institutions should have been in existence preceding 3 years before applying for assistance.
- Food Distribution – Institutions which have been distributing food, prasad, langar (community kitchen), bhandara free of cost without discrimination.
- Beneficiaries – The institutions shall serve free food to at least 5000 people in a calendar month.
- Government Aid – Institutions which are not receiving any financial assistance from the Government for free food, self- certificate.
- FCRA Status – Institution should not get blacklisted under foreign contribution regulation Act (FCRA).
Activities supported – Free prasad or free food offered by charitable religious institutions like Gurudwara, Temples, Dharmik Ashram, Mosques, Dargah, Church, Mutt, Monasteries.

References