Lado Lakshmi Yojana haryana 2024 : registration,eligibility,PDF,Apply online Application

Lado Lakshmi Yojana is a progressive scheme introduced by the Government of Haryana with the aim of improving the socio-economic status of girls in the state. This scheme is part of the state's broader commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women. It is targeted at changing the prevalent mindset towards girls and addressing issues such as female infanticide, child marriage, and the gender imbalance in Haryana. The scheme provides financial support and incentives to families upon the birth of a girl child, ensuring her welfare, education, and overall development. 

Objectives of the Lado Lakshmi Yojana

1. Promoting Gender Equality:One of the primary aims of the scheme is to challenge the gender biases deeply rooted in society. By offering financial benefits for the birth of a girl, the scheme encourages families to welcome and celebrate the arrival of a girl child.

2. Improving the Sex Ratio: Haryana has historically had one of the lowest sex ratios in India. The Lado Lakshmi Yojana is part of a broader effort to reverse this trend by addressing the underlying issues of female infanticide and son preference. 

3. Educational Empowerment:The scheme also focuses on encouraging families to prioritize education for their daughters. It incentivizes families to invest in their daughters’ education and development, leading to better opportunities for girls in the long run.

4. Reducing Economic Burden: The financial assistance provided under this scheme is designed to alleviate the perceived economic burden associated with raising a girl child. This helps to reduce the financial pressure on parents, especially in economically weaker sections, and discourages practices such as dowry and child marriage.

Key Features of Lado Lakshmi Yojana

1. Eligibility Criteria:

   - The scheme is applicable to girl children born to families in Haryana.

   - The beneficiary must be a resident of Haryana.

   - The scheme primarily benefits girls from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, but it has been extended to all families with girls up to two daughters, ensuring wider coverage.

   - Only two girl children from a family are eligible for the financial benefit.

2. Financial Assistance:

   - A significant cash incentive is provided to families upon the birth of a girl child under the Lado Lakshmi yojana. This amount is deposited into a bank account in the name of the girl child and matures after a fixed period.

   - Upon the birth of the girl, the government deposits a fixed sum (generally Rs. 5,000 or more, depending on the scheme version) in a long-term investment account. This amount is typically kept in a fixed deposit or government-approved savings scheme.

   - The amount grows with interest and can be accessed by the girl upon reaching a specific age, typically 18 years, to support her higher education, marriage, or other needs.

   - Families are encouraged to ensure that the girl child remains in school and is not married off before she reaches adulthood.

3. Encouragement for Education:

   - Parents are encouraged to keep their daughters in school, as many of the financial benefits of the scheme are conditional upon the continued education of the girl child.

   - The girl must stay enrolled in school to be eligible for the scheme's full financial benefits.

4. Marriage Prohibition Before 18 Years of Age:

   - To claim the full maturity amount, the girl must not be married before she turns 18. This provision is aimed at discouraging child marriage and promoting the education and development of girls.

5. Health and Vaccination Incentives:

   - The scheme also ensures that girls receive necessary vaccinations and health care during their early years. Parents are required to maintain vaccination records and ensure the girl child gets regular health checkups.

Implementation Process

1. Registration:

   - The family of the girl child must register under the Lado Lakshmi Yojana soon after the birth of the child. Registration can be done through the local Anganwadi worker, health workers, or at designated government offices.

2. Verification:

   - After registration, the details are verified by local authorities. The verification process includes ensuring that the family meets the eligibility criteria, including the income status (in case of BPL families) and residency status.

3. Opening of Bank Account:

   - A bank account is opened in the name of the girl child under the scheme. This account is used to deposit the initial financial incentive, and it remains frozen until the girl reaches the stipulated age.

4. Disbursement of Funds:

   - Upon reaching the age of 18, the beneficiary can access the accumulated amount, provided she has fulfilled the conditions related to education and marriage. The funds can be used for higher education, vocational training, or marriage expenses.

Impact of Lado Lakshmi Yojana

The Lado Lakshmi yojana has shown positive results in addressing the issue of gender imbalance in Haryana. The state's sex ratio has improved over the years, and awareness about the importance of girl child education has increased. Families from economically weaker sections, in particular, have benefited from the financial support, which has helped reduce the immediate economic pressure they face after the birth of a girl.

Additionally, the scheme has contributed to the reduction of child marriage in Haryana, as families are incentivized to delay the marriage of their daughters until they reach the age of 18. This has allowed more girls to continue their education, contributing to their long-term empowerment.

Challenges and Areas of Improvement

Despite its success, the Lado Lakshmi Yojana faces certain challenges:

1. Awareness and Accessibility:

   - In some rural areas, there is still limited awareness about the scheme. More efforts are needed to inform all eligible families about the benefits and procedures of the scheme.

2. Administrative Delays:

   - In certain cases, delays in verification and registration have been reported, which can hinder the timely release of financial benefits to the families.

3. Ensuring Utilization for Intended Purposes:

   - There is a need to ensure that the funds provided under the scheme are used for the girl’s education and development. Proper monitoring mechanisms need to be in place to prevent misuse of the funds, particularly in cases where families might attempt to access the money for non-educational purposes.

Conclusion

The Lado Lakshmi Yojana is a significant step towards improving the status of girls in Haryana. By offering financial incentives, the scheme helps change societal attitudes towards the girl child and encourages families to invest in their daughters' futures. While there are challenges in its implementation, with proper awareness campaigns and administrative support, the Lado Lakshmi Yojana can play a crucial role in promoting gender equality and the overall empowerment of girls in Haryana.