Top News

Lek Laadki Scheme: The Maharashtra government has simplified the application process for the 'Lek Laadki Scheme,' which aims to empower girls. State Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare announced that eligible beneficiaries can now apply online, and the financial assistance amount will be transferred directly to their bank accounts. Implemented by the Women and Child Development Department, the scheme's primary objective is to promote girls' education, empower them, and foster a positive societal attitude towards them.

Online application via 'Aaple Sarkar' portal; document requirements reduced

State Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare stated that parents of eligible girls can now submit applications directly online through the 'Aaple Sarkar' portal. The number of documents required to avail the scheme's benefits has been significantly reduced. Now, the beneficiary's full details will be automatically fetched using their Aadhaar information.

Additionally, e-KYC verification will be completed for the eligible girl, as well as her mother and father. The entire financial assistance provided under the scheme will be transferred directly to the linked bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Application timeline and rules for subsequent stages

The government has made special provisions to allow eligible beneficiaries who missed out earlier to avail the scheme's benefits. Girls eligible as of April 1, 2023, can now apply up to August 15, 2027. For newborns, submitting an application within one year of birth will be mandatory. The scheme provides financial assistance at various stages of the girl's life. The Minister clarified that beneficiaries will not need to submit a fresh application to receive benefits in subsequent stages.

Financial assistance amounts at different ages

According to Minister Aditi Tatkare, a total of ₹1.01 lakh in financial assistance is provided to girls under the Lek Laadki Scheme. Girls born on or after April 1, 2023, will receive the first installment of ₹5,000 immediately after birth. Financial assistance of ₹6,000 will be provided upon admission to Class 1. An amount of ₹7,000 will be given upon admission to Class 6, and ₹8,000 upon admission to Class 11. A lump-sum payment of ₹75,000 will be provided once the girl attains the age of 18.

Who is eligible for this scheme?

The eligibility criteria for the scheme are listed below:

The family must be a resident of Maharashtra.
The family must possess a yellow or orange ration card.
The family must meet the income limits and other conditions prescribed by the government.
Minister Aditi Tatkare stated that, so far, 2,98,695 beneficiaries have received the first installment of the 'Lek Ladki' scheme. She expressed confidence that this simplified procedure would make the application process faster, transparent, and beneficiary-centric, thereby enabling a greater number of eligible daughters to avail the benefits of the scheme.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Money Control. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.