Balika Samridhi Yojana

Introduction

The scheme of Balika Samridhi Yojana was launched by Govt. of India w.e.f. 15-8-97 with the following objectives:-

• To change negative family and community attitudes towards the girl child at birth and towards her mother.
• To improve enrolment and retention of girl children in schools. 
• To raise the age at marriage of girls.
• To assist the girl to undertake income generating activities.

COMPONENTS OF BALIKA SAMRIDHI YOJNA

From the start of the scheme, the mothers of newborn girl children were given a post delivery grant of Rs. 500/- each in cash as a gift from the Government. There was also provision for Annual Scholarships to the girl child for attending school. But the details /guidelines for scholarships were not received.

During 1999-2000, Govt. of India recast the scheme and the benefits and means of delivery have been redesigned to ensure that financial benefits accrue to the girl child. Now the girl children eligible under BSY are entitled to the following benefits:-

• A post birth grant amount of Rs. 500/-.
• When the girl child born on or after 15-08-1997 and covered under BSY starts attending
• the school, she will become entitled to annual scholorship as under for each successfully

completed year of schooling:-

Class	Amount of Annual Scholarship
I-III	Rs. 300/- per annum for each class
IV	Rs. 500/- per annum
V	Rs. 600/- per annum
VI-VII	Rs. 700/- per annum for each class
VIII	Rs. 800/- per annum
IX-X	Rs. 1000/- per annum for each class

COVERAGE

Balika Samridhi Yojna is being implemented in both rural and urban areas.

TARGET GROUP

Under Balika Samridhi Yojna girl children belonging to families below the poverty line are given benefit, who are born on or after 15th August,1997. The benefits are restricted to two girl children in a household irrespective of number of children in the household.

PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING THE BENEFIT

This scheme is being implemented through ICDS infrastructure in rural areas and through functionaries of Health Department in urban areas. The application forms are available with Anganwadi Workers in the villages and with Health functionaries in urban areas. The beneficiaries are required to submit the filled in applications to these functionaries.

DISBURSEMENT OF ASSISTANCE

The amounts of post birth grant and scholarships are to be deposited in an interest bearing account to be opened in the name of the beneficiary girl child and an officer designated in this behalf by the State Govt. in the nearest bank or post office.The amount should earn the maximum possible rate of interest.In this context the Public Provident Fund scheme or the National Saving Certificate is given higher priority.

FACILITY OF WITHDRAWAL

A portion of the Post Birth Grant of Rs.500/- or the amount of the annual scholarship can be applied toward the sole purpose of paying the premium on an insurance policy in the name of the girl child under the Bhagyashri Balika Kalyan Bima Yojna. The amounts of annual scholarships can also be permitted to be utilised toward purchase of textbook or uniform for the girl child.The amount left after paymant shall be deposited in the account.

PAYMENT AT MATURITY

On the girl child attaining 18 years of age and on production of a certificate from the Gram Panchayat /Municipality that she is unmarried on her eighteenth birthday, the implementing agency would authorise the bank or the post office authorities concerned to allow her to withdraw the amount standing in her name in the interest bearing account.

WITHDRAWAL OF THE BENEFIT

In the event of the girl getting married before attaining the age of 18 years, she shall forgo the benefit of the amount of annual scholarships and the interest accrued thereon and shall stand entitled only to the Post Birth Grant amount of Rs.500/- and the interest accrued thereon. In the eventuality of the death of the girl child before attaining the age of 18 years, the accumulated amount in her account would be withdrawn.

FUNDS 

Prior to 1999-2000 , funds were being released to the Additional Deputy Commissioners by the Govt of India.However. thereafter the funds were being released to the State Govt.

The year wise expenditure and beneficiaries is as under :- 

Sr. No.	Year	Amount released by GOI (Rs. in lacs )	Beneficiaries covered
1.	1997-98	86.49	2738
2.	1998-99	59.29	7765
3.	1999-2000	57.66	6673
4.	2000-01	25.00	2889
5.	2001-02	–	9166
6.	2002-03	–	6696
7.	2003-04	–	7441
8.	2004-05	63.29	2337 (tentative)

BALIKA SAMRIDHI YOJANA PROFORMA 

Application Form for obtaining the post-birth benefit of Rs. 500/- (for rural areas)Download
Application Form for obtaining the post-birth benefit of Rs. 500/- (for urban areas)Download