PANAJI: The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat has announced that the government has prepared a new scheme entitled ‘Sanjeevani’ to allocate grants to old age homes in the state.
Mr Kamat further said, the scheme will be implemented through Social Welfare Department and a budgetary provision of Rs 1 crore has been made for the purpose.

The Chief Minister was speaking as the chief guest after inaugurating the 22nd batch of home nursing at Sanjeevan, a society for youth development, at Nagueshi, Ponda on Thursday.
Mr Deepak Dhavalikar, Priol MLA and chairman of KTC was present on the occasion.
Under the Sanjeevani scheme annually  Rs 5.93 lakh will be given to each old age home to meet expenses towards staff honorarium, food for the inmates, building rent, healthcare, doctors and medicine charges, recreation like books, magazines, newspapers, games, besides electricity, water, telephone charges and one time grant for utensils, furniture and purchase of television set.
The Chief Minister said another  scheme  to reimburse fees to candidates who opt  for home nursing courses in government recognised educational institutions has also been prepared   which will be implemented  through Social Welfare and Tribal Welfare Department.
This scheme will be  applicable for four courses  such as six months certificate course, 3 years degree course, health workers course and one year diploma in home nursing. The scheme envisages provision of Rs 12 lakh for social welfare and Rs 6 lakh for tribal welfare department. It also envisages allowance of Rs 800 per month for maintenance and Rs 1,000 for hostel, besides Rs 2,000 annually for uniform, books and stationary for each student.
Mr Kamat complimented the Sanjeevan Society for its humanitarian services  since its inception in 1978  as regards infusing  hope among a large number of young and old people. 
He said that there are few social institutions in the society  which work for elderly and distressed people.
The state government has also concern for elderly people and is implementing schemes for their  benefit such as Rs 1,000  monthly pension  under Dayanand Social Security Scheme, stipend of Rs 1,500 to special children and financial assistance to artists under Kalakar Krityanadata Nidhi in their old age.
The Chief Minister, who distributed certificates to the passed out students of 21st batch in home nursing conducted by Sanjeevan complimented its president Dr Asha Sawardekar for her bold initiative to start the social institute, which has benefited many people of different faith.
Government is always sympathetic to the demands of such institutions  he asserted.
Mr Dhavalikar speaking on the occasion lauded the society for conducting various programmes for the needy women and children in rural areas.
Mr Damodar Naik, sarpanch of Bandora and  Mr N B Narvekar director of social welfare were present on the occasion.
Earlier, Dr Asha Sawardekar, president of Sanjeevan welcomed and Ms Anita Khandeparkar proposed the vote of thanks.