The Bal Ashrams have been established by the Social Welfare Department of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir to provide comprehensive care and rehabilitation for orphans and destitute children. This state-sponsored scheme aims to create an environment free from child labor, ensuring that all children receive free, compulsory, quality, and meaningful education. Services provided include free schooling, boarding and lodging, bedding and clothing, recreational materials, and medicines. Applications for admission to these ashrams are made by the child’s guardian or a social worker through the District Social Welfare Office. The scheme is exclusively available to permanent residents of Jammu & Kashmir.
Benefits
- Free Education:
- Access to quality, compulsory education.
- Shelter & Care:
- Free boarding and lodging.
- Provision of Essentials:
- Free bedding and clothing.
- Recreational & Medical Support:
- Recreational materials and medicines provided.
Eligibility Criteria
- Citizenship:
- The child must be a citizen of India.
- Applicant for Application:
- The application must be submitted by a social worker or the guardian of the eligible child.
- Child’s Status:
- The child should be an orphan or destitute.
- Residency:
- The child must be a domicile/permanent resident of Jammu & Kashmir.
- Existing Benefits:
- The child should not already be availing benefits under this scheme.
Application Process
Offline Process:
- Obtain Application Form:
- Visit the District Social Welfare Office and request a hard copy of the prescribed application form.
- Form Completion:
- Complete all mandatory fields on the form, paste a passport-sized photograph (signed across if required), and attach self-attested copies of the necessary documents.
- Submission:
- Submit the duly filled and signed form along with all required documents to the District Social Welfare Officer.
- Receipt:
- Obtain an acknowledgment/receipt confirming submission, which should include the date, time, and a unique identification number.
Post-Application Process:
- Consolidation and Forwarding:
- The District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) consolidates the applications and forwards them to the District Level Sanctioning Committee.
- Admission Process:
- The superintendent, with approval from the DSWO and the Deputy Director of Administration, Directorate of Social Welfare Jammu, admits or discharges inmates based on the available capacity.
Status Inquiries:
- Applicants can contact the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) for updates on the application status.
Documents Required
- Proof of Residence:
- Residential Certificate or Domicile Certificate of Jammu & Kashmir.
- Photographs:
- Three passport-sized photographs (signed across).
- Identity Proof:
- Aadhaar Card.
- Guardianship Proof:
- Affidavit of Guardianship (if the child has a guardian).
- Bank Details:
- Details of the bank account (Bank Name, Branch Name, Address, IFSC, etc.) of the applicant or guardian.
- Death Certificate:
- In case the child is an orphan, the death certificate(s) of the parents.
- Other Documents:
- Any additional documents as required by the District Social Welfare Office.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Where can I find contact details of the DSWOs/Superintendents of the Bal Ashrams?
- Contact details are available through the List of Social Welfare Centres.
- Who can become an inmate of the Bal Ashram?
- Orphans and destitute children who meet the eligibility criteria.
- Is education compulsory for children in the Bal Ashrams?
- Yes, the scheme emphasizes free, compulsory, quality education.
- Who may apply on behalf of a child?
- A guardian or a social worker is authorized to submit an application.
- How many Bal Ashrams are there in Jammu & Kashmir?
- More than 12 orphanages operate in the private sector in Srinagar; further details are available from the Social Welfare Department.
- What basic facilities are provided?
- Free schooling, boarding and lodging, bedding and clothing, recreational materials, and medicines.
- To whom should the application be submitted?
- The application must be submitted to the concerned District Social Welfare Officer.
- When is a parent’s death certificate mandatory?
- It is required if the child is an orphan.
- What is the full form of DSWO?
- District Social Welfare Officer.
- Is the Residential/Domicile Certificate of Jammu & Kashmir mandatory?
- Yes, it is required.
- Can a beneficiary reapply if already availing the scheme?
- No, the child should not already be availing the scheme benefits.
- Is this scheme state-funded or centrally funded?
- This is a 100% state-sponsored scheme.
- Is there compensation for delays in benefit disbursement?
- Inquiries regarding compensation for delays can be directed to the Social Welfare Department.
- Is there an application fee?
- No, there is no application fee.
- How do I know if a field in the application form is mandatory?
- Mandatory fields are clearly marked, typically with an asterisk (*).
- Are applicants from neighboring states eligible?
- No, only permanent residents of Jammu & Kashmir can apply.
- Where can I find the scheme guidelines?
- Guidelines, contact details, and forms are available on the official website and from the List of Social Welfare Centres.
- Does the scheme accept online applications?
- No, applications must be submitted offline.
- Is it mandatory to self-attest all required documents?
- Yes, all documents should be self-attested unless specified otherwise.
- Is this a “One Family, One Benefit” scheme?
- Yes, the scheme is designed to benefit one child per family.
- Which department manages this scheme?
- The Social Welfare Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir.
- Can applications be submitted online?
- No, the application process is strictly offline.