Maharashtra govt to launch insurance scheme for girl child

The Maharashtra state government has mooted to launch a novel insurance scheme named ‘Sukanya’ for girl child born in families falling under Below Poverty Line (BPL). The scheme was proposed by Women and Child Development Ministry, and expected to be tabled today in the cabinet meet.

Under the scheme, the government will deposit a sum of Rs 21,200 after January 2014 in the name of a newborn girl with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). Against which, the girl would get a sum of Rs one lac when she turns 18. But before making withdrawal, the girl's family would have to ensure that the girl has at least completed her SSC and her marriage has not been arranged before she turns 18. The enrolled girls will also be provided a scholarship amount of Rs 1,200 annually.

Although, the scheme would initially be applicable for BPL families, but the government has plans to extend it to others too, said the Maharashtra Chief Minister Sri Prithviraj Chavan.

According to an official, over two lac girls take births in BPL families every year. To cover them all, the government will need a corpus of around Rs 576 crore.

The Women and Child Development Ministry is also mulling over a scheme, aimed at providing financial aid to rape and acid attack victims. Under the scheme, the victims will get around Rs 3 lac as financial assistance for their health treatment, legal aid, counselling and rehabilitation purposes.

Source: http://www.insuringindia.com/