Women and Child Development Department (WCD) in Gujarat Government launched a slew of initiatives and schemes to help with multiple objectives such as:
- taking up Activities regarding welfare of needy women and children in the state
- empowering women from backward classes by making them economically self-dependent
- changing the existing mind-set about women in the society
- And one of the main objectives is to: improve the health and nutrition level of children between the ages of 0-6; their physical, psychological and social development as well as to improve nutrition level of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women.
These schemes are implemented following the guidelines of the Central Government. The office of the Commissioner of Women and Child Development Department has been operational since 1988.
Keeping in mind these objectives, a range of schemes and initiatives were launched by WCD, that primarily include:
- Doodh Sanjeevani Scheme
- Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao
- Mahila Vikas Awards
- Gujarat Poshan Abhiyaan
-
Mukhyamantri Matrushakti Yojana
To name a few. These schemes proposed and launched often address the most pressing issues in the state, such as: female infanticide, promoting education for the empowerment of young girls in the state and ensuring the overall well-being of women and girls in the Gujarat. One such scheme is the ‘Vahli Dikri Scheme’, that primarily addresses the issues mentioned above.
Vahali Dikari Yojana:
Vahali Dikari, which literally translates to ‘Dear Daughter’ is a scheme that provides financial assistance of Rs. 1 lakh to families with one or two girl children. This assistance is provided in three installments, with Rs. 4,000 provided at the time of admission to Class 1, Rs. 6,000 provided at the time of admission to Class 9, and the remaining amount of Rs. 1 lakh provided when the girl child completes 18 years of age.
This scheme was launched keeping in mind the main ideals of WCD as well as the targeted objectives such as:
- To promote the education and empowerment of daughters in the state of Gujarat.
- To reduce the financial burden on families with a girl child.
- To encourage families to celebrate the birth of the girl child and reduce the prevalence of gender discrimination as well as other social evils such as female infanticide.
- To improve the overall welfare of the girl child in the state of Gujarat.
Financial assistance provided by the scheme is intended to be used for the education and welfare of the girl child and to encourage them to educate their daughter(s). However, the Gujarat government does not impose any restrictions on how the funds are to be used by the family. The financial assistance provided by this scheme is available only for families with one or two girl children, and families with more than two girl children are not eligible for this scheme. Furthermore, families with an annual income of more than Rs. 2 lakh per annum are also not eligible.
In the event that the girl child drops out of school, the government may not continue providing the remaining financial assistance. Only families with 1-2 daughters can avail this scheme as the main objective of this scheme is to promote the welfare of the girl child. The financial assistance provided by the scheme is available only for girl children born after the launch of the scheme on 2nd August 2019 and the scheme is available only for families residing in Gujarat.
It is important to note that families with an annual income of more than Rs. 2 lakh per annum are not eligible for the scheme, as the aim of the scheme is to provide a leeway to families with limited financial resources who may struggle to provide for the education and welfare of their girl child.
This is how you can apply for the scheme:
One can visit the official website of the Women and Child Development Department of the Government of Gujarat or visit the relevant authorities in one’s district. A few documents will be needed to be submitted, such as:
- Aadhar Card.
- Passport Size Photo.
- Income Certificate.
- Caste Certificate.
- Birth Certificate of Child.
- Bank Account Details.
Eligible candidates are required to fill out the application form and attach all the required documents with it, following which the form must be submitted along with the required documents at the same office (for offline procedures). All application forms and documents will be studied by concerned officials. The applicant will be informed through SMS regarding their eligibility or ineligibility. All eligible Beneficiaries will receive their financial assistance in their bank account once their application is finally approved by the department office.
It is mandatory for the applicant to have a bank account in the name of the girl child to receive the financial assistance provided by the scheme. There is no fee for applying to the scheme and the scheme is provided free of cost to eligible families.
The duration of the application process may vary based on the volume of applications received by the government of Gujarat. It is recommended that families keep themselves updated with the latest information on the scheme by visiting the official website of the Women and Child Development Department of the Government of Gujarat or by contacting the relevant authorities.
