100 BUDS institutions to be raised to model status: Minister

A hundred BUDS institutions will be upgraded to model institutions this year, Minister for Local Self-Government M.B. Rajesh has said.

He was speaking after performing the State-level inauguration of Kudumbashree model BUDS institutions, the Chirakukal scheme for adolescents in BUDS institutions, a get-together of BUDS staff, release of revised guidelines for these institutions, and a study on their condition, here on Tuesday.

The Minister said 10 select institutions from Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, and Alappuzha districts were being announced as model institutions in the first phase. Forty-one institutions have been selected as part of the second phase. A project was being prepared for each of them in association with the National Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Thrissur.

The government had given approval for spending ₹4.7 crore on infrastructure development and providing equipment for children in 29 select BUDS institutions functioning under the Kudumbashree, Mr. Rajesh said.

He also announced that a health/life insurance scheme would be launched for BUDS staff, including teachers and ayahs, from this year.

The Minister said ₹2 lakh each had been sanctioned for all BUDS institutions launched in the first phase for infrastructure development, while ₹25 lakh would be given to newly opened ones. An amount of ₹15 lakh each had also been sanctioned to 30 BUDS schools for purchasing vehicles.

As many as 187 BUDS schools and 218 BUDS rehabilitation centres function in the State.

According to the revised guidelines, a unified training model would be implemented under the umbrella of the Kudumbashree for teachers and ayahs in these institutions. The Chirakukal scheme would help in development of practical knowledge and skills of adolescents in these institutions, the Minister said.

Kudumbashree Executive Director H. Dineshan said activities according to the new guidelines would help improve the quality of BUDS institutions.

District panchayat president V. Priyadarshini presided over the event. Ward councillor Rakhi Ravikumar was present.