The Bhagyalakshmi Scheme, launched by the Government of Karnataka, is a pioneering initiative aimed at improving the status of girl children in economically disadvantaged families. The scheme’s primary goal is to promote the birth of girl children and provide them with financial security.

In this article, we will explore the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme in detail, its benefits, eligibility criteria, and how it compares to other government schemes for girls’ welfare. We’ll also provide a comparison table for a clearer understanding.

What is the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme?

The Bhagyalakshmi Scheme is a social welfare initiative specifically designed to uplift girls from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. It provides monetary benefits to the girl child’s family, promoting the education and health of girls and encouraging families to value and care for their daughters.

Objectives of the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme

1. Promote the birth of girls: By offering financial incentives, the scheme aims to change societal attitudes towards the girl child.
2. Improve health and education: The funds allocated can be used to support the girl’s health, education, and future financial needs.
3. Reduce female foeticide: By incentivizing the birth of girls, the scheme addresses the issue of gender-based abortions.

Key Features of the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme

• Fixed Deposit in the Child’s Name: Upon registration, the government deposits a fixed amount into the account of the girl child. This amount matures when the child turns 18.
• Health Insurance Coverage: The scheme includes a health insurance policy for the girl child, covering various medical treatments and health risks.
• Educational Encouragement: Additional financial benefits are provided for the girl’s education at various levels.
• Protection Against Child Marriage: To prevent early marriages, the scheme mandates that the girl child remains unmarried until the age of 18 to claim the full benefits.

Financial Benefits Under the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme

1. Initial Deposit: The state government deposits a sum of ₹19,300 for the first girl child and ₹18,350 for the second girl child into a fixed deposit account. This amount matures when the girl reaches 18 years of age.
2. Maturity Amount: On maturity, the first girl child receives around ₹1,00,097 and the second girl child gets ₹1,00,052, provided all conditions of the scheme are met.
3. Educational Incentives: Girls are provided incentives as they progress through different stages of education:
   • ₹300 for completing class 8
   • ₹500 for completing class 10
   • ₹1,000 for completing class 12
4. Health Insurance: The enrolled child gets health coverage under the Yashaswini Health Insurance Scheme, which covers up to ₹25,000 annually.

Eligibility Criteria for Bhagyalakshmi Scheme

To be eligible for the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme, families must meet the following conditions:

1. BPL Card Holders: The family must possess a BPL card.
2. Limit on Children: The scheme is limited to two girl children per family. If a family has more than two children, they are not eligible for the scheme.
3. Birth Registration: The girl child must be registered with the local authorities within one year of birth to be eligible for the benefits.
4. Parents’ Age: The mother of the child must be at least 19 years old at the time of the girl’s birth.
5. Residence: The scheme is applicable to residents of Karnataka.
6. Unmarried Status: The girl child must remain unmarried until the age of 18 to avail the full benefits of the scheme.

How to Apply for the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme

1. Visit the Nearest Anganwadi Center: Applications for the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme can be submitted at the local Anganwadi or Child Development Project Office.
2. Fill Out the Application Form: The parents must fill in details like the BPL card number, date of birth of the child, and other essential information.
3. Submission of Documents: The following documents need to be submitted along with the form:
   • BPL card
   • Birth certificate of the child
   • Identity proof of parents
   • Bank account details
4. Processing: After verification, the government processes the application, and a fixed deposit account is created in the name of the girl child.

Comparison of Bhagyalakshmi Scheme with Other Government Schemes for Girl Child Welfare

Feature	Bhagyalakshmi Scheme (Karnataka)	Ladli Scheme (Delhi)	Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (National)
Eligibility	BPL families, max 2 girl children	Girl child born in Delhi with family income <₹1 lakh/year	All Indian girl children aged <10 years
Initial Deposit	₹19,300 for first child, ₹18,350 for second child	₹11,000 (non-income tax payers) and ₹10,000 (income tax payers)	Min deposit ₹250, Max deposit ₹1.5 lakh/year
Maturity Amount	₹1,00,097 for the first girl, ₹1,00,052 for the second girl	₹1,00,000 at the age of 18	Amount depends on deposits with an interest rate of 7.6% p.a
Health Insurance	₹25,000 coverage under Yashaswini Health Insurance	No health insurance	No health insurance
Educational Incentives	₹300 after class 8, ₹500 after class 10, ₹1,000 after class 12	₹5,000 each on completing class 10 and 12	No direct incentives
Marriage Restriction	Child must remain unmarried until 18	Must remain unmarried until 18	No marriage restriction
Interest Rates	Fixed benefits, no interest rate	Fixed benefits, no interest rate	Variable interest rate (7.6% for 2023)

Advantages of the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme

1. Targeted Support for Economically Weaker Sections: Unlike schemes like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, which are open to all, the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme focuses on BPL families, ensuring support for the most vulnerable segments of society.
2. Health Insurance Coverage: The inclusion of health insurance is a significant advantage that many other girl child welfare schemes do not offer.
3. Encourages Education: The scheme’s educational incentives encourage girls to complete their schooling, reducing dropout rates.
4. Helps Prevent Child Marriage: The condition that girls must remain unmarried until 18 discourages child marriage, which is still prevalent in some parts of the country.

Limitations of the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme

1. Limited to BPL Families: While the scheme is beneficial for low-income families, its restriction to BPL families excludes middle-income families who may also need support.
2. Geographic Limitation: The scheme is only available to residents of Karnataka, leaving out girls from other states who may benefit from such a program.
3. No Interest on Deposits: Unlike the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, which earns interest over time, the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme offers fixed benefits, which may not keep pace with inflation.

Our Recommendation

The Bhagyalakshmi Scheme is a crucial initiative by the Karnataka government, aiming to uplift the status of girl children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It provides financial assistance for the education, health, and future security of girls. However, it is important to compare it with other schemes like the Ladli Scheme or Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana to determine which program best suits the needs of the family and child.

By promoting the education and well-being of girl children, the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme contributes to gender equality and the empowerment of women in the long term. Families should take advantage of such schemes to secure a brighter future for their daughters.