An Overview of Balika Samriddhi Yojana

An Overview of Balika Samriddhi Yojana

Launched in 1997, the Balika Samriddhi Yojana (BSY) is a government initiative aimed at improving the lives and opportunities for girl children in India, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.

Objectives

• Shifting mindsets: BSY aims to create a positive shift in societal attitudes towards girl children, fostering acceptance and valuing their presence within families and communities.
• Education for all: The scheme seeks to improve school enrolment and retention rates for girls, ensuring they receive a quality education.
• Safeguarding girls: BSY aims to provide a safety net for girls by encouraging families to raise them till they reach legal marriageable age.
• Empowering future generations: The program empowers girls by equipping them with the tools and motivation to pursue income-generating activities, fostering self-reliance and contributing to their overall well-being.

Key Benefits

• Birth grant: A one-time grant of Rs. 500 is provided to the mother upon the birth of a girl child.
• Educational scholarships: Girls born on or after August 15, 1997, and registered under BSY are entitled to receive annual scholarships to support their education. The scholarship amount varies depending on the class level, increasing progressively from Rs. 300 for Classes I-III to Rs. 1,000 for Classes IX and X.

Eligibility

• BPL families: The program is targeted towards families classified as BPL based on government parameters.
• Geographic coverage: BSY encompasses both rural and urban areas.
• Rural areas: In rural zones, families identified under Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) are considered for the scheme.
• Urban areas: BSY covers families residing in urban slums, irrespective of formal identification.
• Livelihood considerations: Families working in professions like vegetable vending, fruit selling, rag-picking, or similar occupations are also included.
• Date of birth: Girl children born on or after August 15, 1997, are eligible.
• Number of beneficiaries: A maximum of two girl children per family can benefit from the program.

Application Process

• Application forms: These can be obtained from Anganwadi workers in rural areas or health department officials in urban zones. Online forms may also be available in some regions, but separate forms exist for rural and urban applicants.
• Form completion: Applicants should meticulously fill out the application forms, ensuring all necessary details are provided.
• Submission: Completed forms need to be submitted to the source from where they were obtained.

Required Documents for BSY

• Birth certificate: A valid birth certificate issued by either the hospital or government authorities is mandatory.
• Address proof: Government-approved documentation proving the legal guardian or parents' address is required.
• Identity proof: A valid ID card (PAN card, passport, voter ID, or matriculation certificate) for the legal guardian or parents is necessary to establish the girl child's identity.

Important Points to Remember

• Account creation: The BSY program entails opening an interest-bearing account in the beneficiary girl child's name.
• Maximizing returns: The account should ideally earn the highest possible interest rate to maximize benefits.
• Savings options: Girl children (when they reach a certain age) are encouraged to explore saving options like PPF (Public Provident Fund) or NSC (National Savings Certificate) for long-term financial security.
• Scholarship utilization: Scholarship funds can be used for educational expenses like purchasing uniforms, textbooks, and other necessities. Any remaining amount is deposited into the beneficiary's account.

• Disbursement of funds: The girl child gains access to the accumulated funds in the interest-bearing account upon reaching 18 years of age, provided she furnishes an unmarried certificate issued by the local Municipal/Gram Panchayat authority.
• Early marriage: Marrying before 18 disqualifies the girl child from receiving future scholarship instalments and accrued interest. However, she will still be eligible for the initial Rs. 500 birth grant and any interest it has earned.