Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme: Features, Benefits, Eligibility, Documents

What is the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme?

The Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme is a welfare initiative introduced by the government of Karnataka to support families living below the poverty line (BPL) with female children.

This savings scheme primarily aims to encourage families to educate and empower their daughters and ensure their well-being.

The broader objectives of the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme are to promote the birth of female children, raise their status in society, eliminate the stigma associated with female children and encourage their education.

The scheme aims to provide financial support, scholarships and health insurance to economically weaker families, especially those below the poverty line.

By empowering girl children and their families, the scheme contributes to gender equality, improved healthcare access and reduced poverty. Ultimately, it seeks to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for female children, fostering their well-being and development.

Financial Assistance Offered Under the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme

Insurance Coverage:

• Health Insurance Cover: The girl child is provided with a health insurance cover of up to ₹25,000 per month. This insurance coverage helps in addressing healthcare expenses and ensuring the child's well-being.
• Accident Coverage for Parents/Guardians: The Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme also provides accident coverage of ₹1 lakh to the parents or legal guardians of an eligible girl child. This coverage offers financial protection in case of accidents.
• Death Payout to the Parents/Guardians: Along with the accident coverage, the scheme also offers life cover for the girl child. In the event of her unfortunate demise (natural death), the parents will receive ₹42,500.
   

Payment on Completion of 18 Years of Age:

The parents of the girl child receive an amount of ₹34,751 once the girl child covered under the scheme turns 18 years old.
 

Annual Scholarships for the Girl Child

The girl child receives an annual scholarship ranging from ₹300 to ₹1000. This scholarship is aimed at promoting education and supporting the child's academic journey.
 

The following table shows the scholarships received every year:
 

Features and Benefits of the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme
 

• Financial Assistance: The Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme provides financial assistance to families with female children. This assistance can be crucial in covering the expenses related to education, health, and overall development.
  
  
• Insurance Coverage: Under the scheme, eligible families receive insurance coverage. This ensures that in case of unforeseen events or emergencies, the family has a safety net to fall back on.
  
  
• Promotion of Education: The scheme strongly emphasises the importance of education for girls. It incentivises families to send their daughters to school by offering scholarships and financial rewards for educational milestones.
  
  
• Healthcare Support: Ensuring the well-being of female children is a top priority. The scheme provides financial assistance for medical expenses, which can be vital for accessing quality healthcare services.
  
  
• Empowerment: By supporting families with female children, the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme contributes to women's empowerment. Education and financial security enable women to lead better lives and make informed choices.
  
  
• Inclusivity: The scheme is designed to be inclusive and reaches out to families in rural and remote areas, thus bridging the urban-rural divide.

Eligibility Criteria for Enrolling in the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme 

To avail of the benefits of the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme, families must meet specific eligibility criteria:
 

• Below-Poverty Line (BPL) Status: The family should be classified under the Below-Poverty Line (BPL) category as per the 31st March 2006 categorisation.
  
  
• Enrolment Duration: The girl child must be enrolled under the scheme within 1 year from her birth.
  
  
• Number of Girls: Only two girls from the eligible BPL family can be enrolled under the scheme.
  
  
• Residence in Karnataka: The family should be a resident of the state of Karnataka to qualify for the scheme.
  
  
• Child Labour: The girl child enrolled under the scheme should not be engaged in any type of child labour.
  
  
• Health and immunisation: The girl child availing of the scheme must have received all the necessary immunisations as per the health department’s prevailing directives.
  
  
• Other Eligibility Criteria: The beneficiary must complete education up to the 8th standard and must not be married before the age of 18.

How to Apply for the Scheme 

Applying for the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme is a straightforward process. Eligible candidates can follow these steps:
 

How to Apply for the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme Online?
 

• Visit the Official Website: Go to the official website of the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme. You can find the application forms and detailed instructions on the website.
• Fill out the Application Form: Download the application form and provide all the requisite information. Ensure that you have all the necessary documents ready for submission.
• Submit the Application: Submit the completed application form along with the required documents to the designated authorities.
  
  

How to Apply for the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme Offline?
 

• Get in touch with the relevant authorities from the following list - Anganwadi Centres, Gram Panchayat Office, Authorised Banks, Municipal Corporations or certain NGOs.
• Get the application form and fill it out with all the necessary details.
• Attach the necessary documents and submit the form to the respective authorities.
   

After submission, the authorities will verify your application and documents to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria. Once your application is approved, you will start receiving the benefits and financial assistance provided by the scheme.
 

Note: In case the parent/guardian requires assistance or has any grievances regarding the application process or the workings of the scheme, they can get in touch with the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) or the Deputy Director of Child and Women Development of the respective district.

Documents Required for the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme 

To apply for the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme, you will need the following documents:
 

• Application Form: The filled and signed application form is a primary requirement.
  
  
• Proof of BPL Status: You must provide proof of your family's Below Poverty Line (BPL) status.
  
  
• Residence Proof: Documents establishing your residence in Karnataka are essential.
  
  
• Birth Certificate: A copy of the birth certificate of the female child is necessary.
  
  
• Income Certificate: An income certificate is required to verify your financial status.
  
  
• Bank Account Details: You will need to provide your bank account details for the transfer of financial assistance.
  
  
• Photographs: Recent passport-sized photographs of the female child and the family head are often required.

Importance of Government-Sponsored Savings Schemes in India 

Government-sponsored savings schemes, like the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme, play a pivotal role in the development and progress of the country.

• Social Inclusion: These schemes are designed to include marginalised and economically weaker sections of society, ensuring that they have access to essential services and financial support.
  
  
• Education Promotion: Such schemes emphasise the importance of education, especially for girls. This contributes to increasing literacy rates and improving the overall quality of human resources in the country.
  
  
• Women Empowerment: By providing financial assistance to female children, these schemes contribute significantly to women's empowerment. Educated and financially secure women can make informed decisions and contribute to their family's well-being.
  
  
• Healthcare Access: Many of these schemes provide healthcare support, ensuring that families can access medical services when needed. This improves overall health indicators in the population.
  
  
• Reducing Poverty: Government-sponsored savings schemes help in poverty reduction by providing direct financial assistance to families in need.
  
  
• Creating a Safety Net: Insurance coverage offered by these schemes creates a safety net for families, protecting them from unexpected financial burdens.

Conclusion

Through the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme and other state and central government-sponsored welfare and saving schemes, India can work towards a more inclusive and equitable society, where every child, regardless of their economic background, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the nation's progress.