The “Grant of Incentive to the Family having One Girl/Two Girl Children and Parents who have undergone Family Planning” is a financial assistance scheme introduced by the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Puducherry. This initiative aims to promote the value of the girl child and encourage family planning by depositing a monetary incentive in the name of the girl child. The funds mature when the girl child reaches 18 years of age, thereby supporting long-term financial security.
Benefits
- Financial Security: A lump sum of ₹30,000 for one girl child or ₹15,000 per girl in case of two children is deposited, ensuring future financial support.
- Empowerment: The incentive is registered in the name of the girl child, contributing to her long-term financial independence.
- Family Planning Awareness: By linking the benefit to family planning, the scheme promotes responsible parenting and health practices.
- Social Upliftment: The initiative elevates the status of the girl child in the family and community.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the scheme, the following conditions must be met:
- Citizenship: The parents must be citizens of India.
- Local Residency: At least one parent should be a native of Puducherry by birth or must have resided continuously for at least five years.
- Income Limit: The annual income of the applicant should not exceed ₹75,000 per annum.
- Parental Age at Marriage: The father must be at least 21 years old and the mother at least 18 years old at the time of marriage.
- Family Planning Requirement: Either of the parents should have undergone Family Planning at a Central/State Government Hospital or a registered private facility.
- Number of Girl Children: The scheme applies to families with only one or two girl children.
- Marriage Registration: The marriage of the applicant must be registered with the relevant Registration Department, Municipality, or Commune Panchayat.
Application Process
Offline/Online Process
Applicants can obtain the application form by either visiting the Department of Women and Child Development office during business hours or by printing the prescribed format from the official website.
- Obtain the Application Form:
- Offline: Visit the Office/Sub-Office of the Department of Women and Child Development and request the application form.
- Online: Download and print the prescribed application form from the official website.
- Fill the Form:
- Complete all mandatory fields in the application form.
- Affix a passport-sized photograph (with a signature across if required).
- Attach copies of all required documents (self-attested if specified).
- Submission:
- Submit the filled and signed form along with the documents to the Deputy Director (Women Development) or the Child Development Project Officer, depending on your location.
- The submission should be done at least 30 days before the proposed marriage date.
- Acknowledgment:
- Request and retain a receipt or acknowledgment from the concerned authority. The receipt should include the date, time of submission, and a unique identification number if applicable.
Documents Required
- Residence Certificate from the Revenue Department.
- Income Certificate from the Revenue Department.
- Marriage Registration Certificate of the parents.
- Sterilization Certificate of either parent.
- Age Proof (Birth Certificate or Transfer Certificate) of the parents.
- Birth Certificate of the girl child/children.
- Family Ration Card and Election ID copy.
- Photograph of the Family.
- Aadhaar Card of the parents and children.
- Ration Card.
- Recent Passport-Sized Photograph.
- Sterilization Certificate.
- Voter ID Card of the father and mother.
- Alternative Documents: If an Aadhaar Number is not available, provide the Aadhaar Enrolment ID along with one of the following:
- Bank or Post Office Passbook with Photo.
- PAN Card.
- Passport.
- Ration Card.
- Voter Identity Card.
- MGNREGA Card.
- Kisan Photo Passbook.
- Driving License issued under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
- Certificate of Identity issued by a Gazetted Officer or Tehsildar.
- Any other document specified by the Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can the applicant choose to track the status of their application, and if so, how?
A1: Yes, the applicant can track the status of their application. The tracking process is generally outlined by the Department and can be done either online (if available) or by contacting the relevant office.
Q2: In the absence of an Aadhaar Number, what alternative documents can be provided?
A2: The applicant should provide the Aadhaar Enrolment ID along with one of the following: Bank/Post Office Passbook with photo, PAN Card, Passport, Ration Card, Voter Identity Card, MGNREGA Card, Kisan Photo Passbook, Driving License, or an official identity certificate issued by a Gazetted Officer or Tehsildar.
Q3: Which department issues the Income and Residence Certificates?
A3: Both the Income and Residence Certificates are issued by the Revenue Department.
Q4: How is the number of girl children determined for eligibility, and what documents are needed?
A4: Eligibility is based on having either one or two girl children. The Birth Certificate of the girl child/children is required as proof.
Q5: What documents are needed to verify the age of the parents?
A5: Age verification can be done using a Birth Certificate or a Transfer Certificate (TC) of the parents.
Q6: What documents prove that the applicant’s annual income does not exceed ₹75,000?
A6: An Income Certificate issued by the Revenue Department is required to verify the applicant’s annual income.
Q7: How is the citizenship requirement defined for this scheme?
A7: The parents must be citizens of India, as per the norms specified by the Department of Women and Child Development.
Q8: What are the eligibility criteria regarding the parents’ age and Family Planning?
A8: The father must be at least 21 years old and the mother at least 18 years old at the time of marriage. Additionally, either parent must have undergone Family Planning at a recognized government or registered private hospital.
Q9: Can you explain the maturity conditions for the incentive amount under the scheme?
A9: The incentive amount, deposited in the name of the girl child, matures when she reaches 18 years of age.
Q10: How much financial assistance is provided for one girl child and for two girl children?
A10: For one girl child, ₹30,000 is provided. For two girl children, ₹15,000 is deposited for each child.
Q11: Do parents or legal guardians have control over the deposited amount until the girl child reaches 18?
A11: The deposited amount is held in the name of the girl child, and control is typically vested until she attains 18 years of age, ensuring that the funds benefit her directly.
Q12: Does the scheme provide any additional benefits or bonuses along with the initial financial assistance?
A12: The primary benefit of the scheme is the financial incentive deposited in the name of the girl child. Any additional benefits would be outlined in the official guidelines provided by the Department.