Punarjani-2030, a rehabilitation scheme introduced by the State government for supporting displaced bar employees, will cover 86 people in the district. In the first phase, each beneficiary will get a one-time financial assistance of Rs.10,000 once the documents are verified.
Excise Department officials who coordinate the project say the district has been granted Rs.10.60 lakh to cover eligible persons under the scheme. Family members of those who committed suicide after losing their jobs in bars too will be considered for the scheme, they add.
“In Kozhikode district, we have already identified such a family and we will give them Rs.2 lakh as temporary relief,” says an officer attached to the Kozhikode Excise Circle Office. The amount will be distributed within March 31. Fresh applications will be accepted at the Excise Circle Office here.
Excise Department officials say the aid is primarily for those still struggling to find a job. The fund for Punarjani is mobilised from a five per cent cess levied on liquor. The project is part of the government’s plan to add to the Kerala Alcohol Education Research, Rehabilitation and Compensation Fund, they say.
In Kozhikode district, the Excise Department is coordinating intervention programmes for drug addicts and alcoholics. “To offer professional counselling to drug addicts, we are planning to open a centre in the city for which the State government has given approval,” officials say.
86 persons in Kozhikode will get benefits of scheme for displaced bar employees.
