Balika Samriddhi Yojana (BSY), Objective, Eligibility, Benefits

Balika Samriddhi Yojana (BSY) is a government initiative aimed at improving the status of girls in India. It was launched on 2 October 1997 to encourage the education and well-being of girl children from economically weaker sections. Balika Samriddhi Yojana offers financial support to families for raising and educating their daughters.

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Balika Samriddhi Yojana - Overview

The Balika Samriddhi Yojana was launched in 1997 to address gender disparity and empower girls by providing financial aid. Under this scheme, a girl child receives benefits at birth and later during her schooling. The goal of Balika Samriddhi Yojana is to reduce female infanticide, promote education, and improve the overall quality of life for young girls.

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Balika Samriddhi Yojana Objective

The primary objective of Balika Samriddhi Yojana is to uplift girl children in economically disadvantaged families. The scheme promotes education, health, and financial independence among young girls. Key objectives include:

• Encouraging Birth of Girl Children: Providing financial assistance to families at the birth of a girl child to reduce gender-based discrimination.

• Promoting Education: Ensuring that girls from underprivileged families get access to education by offering financial support.

• Preventing Child Marriage: Encouraging families to educate their daughters instead of marrying them off at an early age.

• Financial Independence: Helping girls become self-sufficient by offering monetary incentives and assisting girls in undertaking income-generating activities that can be used for their future needs.

• Changing Family and Community Attitudes: Addressing negative family and community perceptions toward the girl child at birth and towards her mother.

Who is Eligible for Balika Samriddhi Yojana?

To avail benefits under Balika Samriddhi Yojana, families must meet certain eligibility criteria. These include:

• The scheme is applicable only to girl children born on or after 15 August 1997.

• The family’s income must be below the poverty line (BPL) in rural or urban areas.

• Only two girls from one family can benefit from the scheme.

• The girl must be unmarried and attend school to receive educational incentives.

• There is no Balika Samriddhi Yojana age limit criteria but as per the cut off date, beneficiaries must be under the age of 27.

The girl can withdraw the accumulated amount from the scheme upon reaching 18 years of age, provided she has an unmarried certificate.

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Balika Samridhi Yojana Key Features

Balika Samriddhi Yojana has several important features that make it an effective initiative for girl child welfare. Some of the key features are:

• Financial Assistance at Birth: A one-time grant of ₹500 is given to the mother of the newborn girl child.

• Annual Scholarships: Financial aid is provided for schooling:

• ₹300 for Class 1-I-III

• ₹500 for Class IV

• ₹600 for Class V

• ₹700 for Class VI-VII

• ₹800 for Class VIII

• ₹1,000 per year for Classes IX-X

• Encouragement for Higher Education: The funds are deposited in the girl’s account, and she can withdraw them after turning 18, provided she remains unmarried.

• Rural and Urban Implementation: The scheme is implemented in both rural and urban areas to ensure maximum outreach.

• Health and Nutrition Awareness: The scheme also aims to improve health and nutrition awareness among families.

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Balika Samriddhi Yojana Benefits

The Balika Samriddhi Yojana provides multiple benefits to families and society. Some of the major benefits include:

• Financial Support: Families receive direct financial aid to raise and educate their daughters.

• Increased Education Rate: More girls attend school due to the financial incentive, leading to higher literacy rates.

• Reduction in Child Marriage: The condition of staying unmarried till 18 helps prevent child marriages.

• Women Empowerment: Encourages girls to become financially independent and self-reliant.

• Better Health and Nutrition: Ensures better health and nutrition for young girls from poor families.

• Social Change: Helps in changing the mindset of families regarding the importance of daughters.

In conclusion, Balika Samriddhi Yojana is an essential initiative that supports the education and well-being of girls from poor families. By providing financial aid, the scheme ensures that young girls get the opportunities they deserve.

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