Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer 2026

The AICTE GAINER scheme provides crucial grants to technical institutes in the North East to improve their Read More... campus facilities like water supply, electricity, and internet connectivity. Read less

Details

Technical education is key to progress, but many institutes in the North East face infrastructure challenges. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) understands this and has launched a special scheme to help.

What Is The AICTE GAINER Scheme?

The 'Grant for Augmenting Infrastructure in North Eastern Region' (GAINER) scheme, previously known as the Special Scheme for NER, aims to tackle common problems faced by technical institutes in the North East. These include issues with water supply, unreliable electricity, and slow internet. The scheme is managed by the Indian Institute of Technology–Guwahati.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is specifically designed for government and government-aided technical and engineering colleges, university departments, and polytechnic institutes located in the North East Region of India. The institute must also have been operational for at least five years.

Why Is This Scheme Important?

Many areas in the North East face unique geographical challenges. Irregular water supply, especially during dry seasons, and frequent power outages can seriously disrupt daily campus life and academic activities. Poor internet connectivity further limits access to essential learning resources. By addressing these fundamental infrastructure needs, the GAINER scheme helps technical institutes function more efficiently and provide a better learning environment for students.

Objective

The AICTE GAINER scheme provides crucial grants to technical institutes in the North East to improve their campus facilities like water supply, electricity, and internet connectivity.

Benefits

For Adult Male Beneficiaries

The rehabilitation assistance shall be ₹1,00,000 (One Lakh Rupees) per adult male beneficiary.

Beneficiaries have the option to deposit the assistance in an annuity scheme or receive it as a cash grant.

The District Administration will assess the cash requirement of the beneficiary and, with their consent, place the money in an annuity scheme.

Special Category Beneficiaries (Children, Women)

Rehabilitation assistance for special category beneficiaries, such as children, including orphans, or those rescued from forced labour, and women, shall be ₹2,00,000 (Two Lakhs Rupees).

At least ₹1,25,000 (One Lakh Twenty-Five Thousand Rupees) shall be deposited in an annuity scheme in each beneficiary's name.

The remaining amount shall be transferred to the beneficiary's account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Extreme Cases of Bonded or Forced Labor

In cases of extreme deprivation, such as transgender individuals, women, and children rescued from sexual exploitation, or trafficking, the rehabilitation assistance shall be ₹3,00,000 (Three Lakhs Rupees).

At least ₹2,00,000 (Two Lakhs Rupees) shall be deposited in an annuity scheme in each beneficiary's name.

₹1,00,000 (One Lakh Rupees) shall be transferred to the beneficiary's account via DBT.

Bonded Labour Rehabilitation Fund:

Each state shall create a Bonded Labour Rehabilitation Fund at the district level with a permanent corpus of at least ₹10,00,000 (Ten Lakhs Rupees) at the disposal of the District Magistrate.

Penalties recovered from convicted perpetrators of bonded labour may be deposited in this corpus.

Immediate Financial Assistance

The District Administration shall provide immediate financial assistance up to ₹30,000 (Thirty Thousand Rupees) to rescued individuals from the District Bonded Labour Rehabilitation Fund.

The District Magistrate may disburse higher amounts if required but limited to the maximum entitlement prescribed under this scheme.

State Government ResponsibilitiesState Governments/UTs shall focus on:

Providing a safe and secure environment for capacity building of child-bonded labourers.

Addressing the special needs of female freed bonded labourers, including financial support for marriage.

Offering special care for disabled individuals, in line with the national policy for disabled people.

Providing employable skill development training for adult bonded labourers who do not fall into the above categories.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Who Can Apply?

Government or Government-aided technical/engineering colleges and University Departments in the North East are eligible.
Polytechnic Institutes located in the North East Region can also apply.
The institute must have been established and functioning for at least the last five years.

How to Apply

Institutes need to submit an application form along with detailed project proposals and estimates. The exact application procedure and any specific portal links are usually announced by AICTE. It's advisable to check the official AICTE website or contact IIT Guwahati (the implementing agency) for the latest application guidelines and deadlines.

Official Contact:

The scheme is implemented through the Indian Institute of Technology–Guwahati.

What Documents Are Needed?

When applying for the 'Solving Water Problems' project, you will need the following documents:

Project plan and detailed cost estimates.
Abstract of the project estimates.
PWD/CPWD rate certificate relevant to the project.
Confirmation that the project adheres to AICTE norms and regional rates.
Details on the construction mode (contract, departmental, or deposit work).
A certificate from the Principal or Competent Authority (like the Secretary of State Government for Technical Education) confirming that any costs exceeding the AICTE grant will be covered by the State Government or the college, ensuring no delay due to funding.

For procurement of solar power energy equipment, generators, or internet connections, you will need:

Documentary proof of costs and details of the purchase process, following GFR guidelines.
A certificate from the Principal or Competent Authority (like the Secretary of State Government for Technical Education) stating that any expenditure beyond the AICTE grant will be borne by the State Government or the college, preventing purchase delays.

General Terms and Conditions:

Submit an Annual Progress Report for ongoing projects.
A Project Completion Report must be submitted after the project is finished.
A Utilization Certificate and audited Statement of Accounts, certified by the Finance Officer/Account Officer, are required to claim the balance amount and upon project completion.

FAQ’s

What is the purpose of supporting water harvesting projects under this scheme?

Since many parts of North East India are hilly and water supply can be irregular, especially during dry months, water harvesting projects are funded to ensure a consistent water supply for the institutes.

Who is in charge of running this particular scheme?

The scheme is being managed and implemented by the Indian Institute of Technology–Guwahati.

What are the main goals of this AICTE scheme?

The main objective is to improve how well technical institutes in remote areas of North East India work by fixing problems with their water supply, electricity, and internet access.

Why does the scheme offer funds for setting up internet connections?

Internet access isn't always great in the North East. This funding helps institutes get an initial connection, but they will need to cover the ongoing costs themselves later on.

What is the funding limit for projects focused on solving water issues?

For projects aimed at solving water problems, the maximum grant is ₹15,00,000. The project is expected to be finished within 2 years from when the first installment is received.

What is the grant amount for power and solar energy projects?

The scheme provides up to ₹20,00,000 for Power/ Solar Energy Projects. These projects need to be completed within 6 months of receiving the funds.

How much funding is available for establishing an internet connection?

The scheme offers a maximum of ₹5,00,000 for Internet Connection Projects. The work must be completed within 6 months after the funds are released.

How are the grant amounts disbursed to the institutes?

The funds are released in two installments. The first installment is 80% of the sanctioned grant, given as an advance. The second installment is provided after the project is successfully completed and all necessary documents are submitted.

What happens if an institute doesn't start its project within six months?

If an institute fails to begin the sanctioned project within six months, it must return the entire grant amount, plus any accrued interest, to AICTE, and provide a valid justification for the delay.

Who is responsible for auditing the financial reports for the project?

The Utilization Certificate and Statement of Accounts must be thoroughly audited by the institution's Finance Officer or Account Officer.

What documents are required when purchasing solar power equipment or generators?

Institutes need to provide proof of cost along with documentation of the purchase process as per GFR guidelines. They also need a certificate from their Principal or the relevant State Government authority confirming that any costs exceeding the AICTE grant will be covered by the institute or state, ensuring no delays.

Why are solar power installations being supported by the scheme?

Because continuous electricity is often unavailable in many parts of North East India, affecting education. This scheme supports installing solar power systems or generators to ensure a more reliable power supply for technical institutes.