Chandigarh, March 26 — The Chandigarh social welfare department has extended the Group Home admission deadline to April 10, citing difficulties faced by economically weaker section (EWS) applicants in obtaining income certificates.
The extension follows complaints that the Sampark Centre, which issues income certificates, only provides education-related certificates and lacks a provision specifically for Group Home admissions. “We are working on adding this option, but it requires a notification from the deputy commissioner’s office, which is still pending,” said Palika Arora, director of social welfare, Chandigarh.
EWS applicants, with an annual income below ₹1.5 lakh, are exempt from the ₹20-lakh security deposit and monthly charges ranging between ₹16,000 and ₹35,000.
The admission process, which began on February 17, is for individuals with mental illness and intellectual disabilities. The deadline was previously extended from March 10 to March 25 due to low response, with only three applicants. So far, 27 applications have been received.
Interested guardians can download the admission form from the social welfare department’s website and submit it with the required documents at the department’s Sector 17 office before the new deadline.
