With the Central government putting their best foot forward in the betterment of women and girl child in the country, the state governments are also not behind.

Here are a few state government introduced schemes for the betterment of a girl child;

Ladli Scheme

Introduced in Haryana by the state government, the scheme was introduced with the motive to uplift the status of a girl child in the society and get rid off the social ills by changing the mindset of the people regarding a girl child.

Being a cash incentive scheme, for 5 years Rs 5000 per annum is given to the family gifted with a second girl child on or after August 20, 2015. It is deposited in a Kisan Vikas Patra jointly in the name of the second girl child and the mother, father or any other legal guardian. The money is only released with interest after the child turns 18 years of age.

Ladli Laxmi Yojana

Introduced in Madhya Pradesh, the Ladli Laxmi Yojana is a Maharashtra government sponsored scheme, which targets the improvement of the status of girls and women in the state. It aims to prevent social ills such as female foeticide, child marriage and so on. Only after the beneficiary’s approval a National Saving Certificate of sum worth Rs 6,000 will be purchased every year for the first five years in their name. This investment will be divided further into Rs 2,000 for the girl child’s admission in the sixth standard and Rs 4,000 when she is admitted in the ninth standard.

However, the eligibility criteria for availing this schemes is that the family must be a resident of Madhya Pradhesh and should not be under the tax bracket. Also, the first girl child must be born after April 1, 2008 and after the birth of the second girl child the family must adopt family planning; And the beneficiary must be a regular attendee of the Anganwadi.

Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme

Designed by the Karnataka government, it promotes the birth of girl child in families of the below poverty line. However, there is a list of criteria before financial assistance is doled out. Girls belonging to the below poverty line families are eligible to take this benefit provided they were born after March 31, 2006; Enrollment is allowed up to one year after birth and a maximum of two children can be covered under this scheme. Also, additional financial benefits are also available to the beneficiary provided certain criteria are met.

Post the criteria being met a health insurance cover up to a maximum of Rs 25,000 is given annually. The girl child also receives an annual scholarship of Rs 300 to 1,000 up to 10th standard.

Mazi Kanya Bhagyashree Scheme

Promoted by the Maharashtra government, this scheme has been designed to improve the conditions of the girl child amongst the below poverty line families and other sections of the society. As benefits the child’s mother receives a sum of Rs 5,000 for the first five years after birth; a sum of Rs2,500 is also provided till the girl is enrolled in the fifth standard; Rs 3,000 is given till she is enrolled in the 12th standard and after attaining 18 years of age, the girl receives a sum of Rs 1 lakh per annum for her education. Also, payout can be further doled out for her if she wishes to continue further studies.

Kanyashree Prakalpa

A brainchild of the West Bengal government this scheme aims at the improvement of the status as well as the well being of a girl child, especially those who belong to the weaker section of the society. This scheme delivers Rs 750 annually for girls between the age 13-18 years and a one-time grant of Rs 25,000 between the age of 18 and 19 years. However to avail to this scheme, one must be a resident of West Bengal and have a bank account on her name, must be enrolled in an educational institution and unmarried and the annual income of the family should not be more than Rs 1.2 lakh per annum.

The major motive of these schemes is to do away with the concept of considering a girl child as a burden, and treat them equal and provide them the opportunity to grow.