The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, continues its support for charitable and religious institutions through the Seva Bhoj Yojna, a scheme aimed at easing the financial burden of those providing free food to the public. With an outlay of Rs. 325.00 Crores for Financial Years 2018-19 and 2019-20, the scheme has been instrumental in reimbursing the Central Government’s share of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST) paid by such institutions.
Charitable and religious institutions, including temples, gurudwaras, mosques, churches, and dharmik ashrams, among others, are eligible for financial assistance under the scheme if they have been serving free food to at least 5000 people per month for the past three years. The scheme aims to promote inclusivity and support institutions engaged in philanthropic activities.
Specific raw food items such as ghee, edible oil, sugar, rice, flour, and pulses, purchased for the purpose of offering free food/prasad/langar (community kitchen)/bhandara, are covered under the scheme. Financial assistance is provided to eligible institutions for the reimbursement of GST paid on these items.
In the last three years, the scheme has witnessed a significant impact, with Rs. 466 lakh GST collection reimbursed to charitable institutions. The Ministry of Culture has been actively promoting awareness about the scheme through various platforms, ensuring that eligible beneficiaries across the country benefit from it.
To ensure transparency and accountability in fund utilization, a streamlined procedure is followed. Charitable/religious institutions register on the Darpan Portal of NITI Aayog and submit their applications through the CSMS Portal of the Ministry of Culture. Upon verification, the concerned GST Authority forwards the claims to the Ministry for reimbursement, thereby facilitating financial support to the eligible institutions.
The Seva Bhoj Yojna stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to promoting philanthropy and supporting institutions dedicated to serving the community. By alleviating the financial burden of charitable and religious organizations, the scheme plays a vital role in fostering social welfare and communal harmony.
