Social Welfare Schemes in Haryana - 1 | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

Introduction

Numerous government initiatives at both the State and Central levels aim to ensure social equality and justice for individuals who are socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged.

Major Schemes Related to Women and Child Development

Following are the major schemes related to women and child development:

Mahila evam Kishori Samman

• Launched on August 5, 2020, via video conferencing by Haryana's Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, this initiative is overseen by the Department of Women and Child Development.
• The scheme provides six sanitary napkins at no cost to women aged 10 to 45 residing in Haryana.
• Distribution of these sanitary napkins will occur through Anganwadi centers and schools, targeting women and girls in need within the state.

Mukhyamantri Doodh Uphar Yojana

• Initiated through a video conference on August 5, 2020, by Haryana's Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, this program aims to offer free fortified milk to children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers by the state government.
• The primary goal of the Mukhyamantri Doodh Uphar Yojana is to enhance the nutritional standards among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. Each beneficiary, when visiting anganwadi centers, will receive 200 ml of fortified milk.

Haryana Mahila Samridhi Yojana

• Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar introduced the Haryana Mahila Samridhi Yojana aimed at empowering women, commencing in July 2020.
• The initiative entails the Haryana Government facilitating job prospects specifically for women belonging to the scheduled caste category within the state.
• Within this program, women across the state will receive a loan of Rs. 60,000 at an annual interest rate of 5% to establish self-employment ventures.

Sakhi (One Stop Centre)

• Initiated in 2017 by the State Ministry of Women and Child Development, this scheme aims to deliver justice to women subjected to violence in a structured manner.
• One-stop centers have been established to offer medical care, psychological and social counseling, police support, and legal assistance to women experiencing violence.
• The implementation of these One-stop centers has taken place across seven districts of the state: Karnal, Gurugram, Faridabad, Hisar, Rewari, Bhiwani, and Narnaul.

Swadhar Greh Yojana

• The Government of Haryana inaugurated this program on October 18, 2015, aiming to devise an institutional strategy to aid women facing challenging situations.
• This scheme offers both social and economic security to women in need.

Mukhyamantri Vivah Shagun Yojana

• The Haryana Government introduced the Mukhyamantri Vivah Shagun Yojana in July 2015, replacing the previous 'Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Vivah Shagun Scheme' initiated in 2005. It's specifically for economically disadvantaged girls.
• Eligibility for this scheme applies to women with an annual income below one lakh rupees, excluding female athletes.
• The scheme provides a Shagun (gift) ranging from Rs. 11,000 to Rs. 51,000 for the marriage of eligible girls.

Aapki Beti – Hamari Beti Yojana

• Launched by Haryana's Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, on March 8, 2015 (International Women’s Day), the "Aapki Beti – Hamari Beti Yojana" aims to combat sex-selective abortion, improve child sex-ratios, and enhance educational opportunities for girls within the state.
• Under this initiative, a cash grant of Rs. 21,000 is provided to the first girl child born after January 22, 2015, belonging to families categorized under Scheduled Castes and Below Poverty Line (BPL). Similarly, all second girl children born after the same date in all families receive Rs. 21,000 as well.
• Administered by the Department of Women and Child Development in Haryana, this scheme allows a girl child to access Rs. 1,00,000 upon reaching 18 years of age, which can be utilized for education or marriage.

Haryana Kanya Kosh

• Initiated on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2015, by Haryana's Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, this fund, known as "Kosh," is slated to increase its corpus to Rs. 100 crore.
• The Kosh is established to foster the advancement of girls and women within the state, aiming to create an environment conducive to their equal rights, development, and empowerment. Operated under the name 'Aapki Beti-Hamari Beti,' this fund serves this purpose.

Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao Campaign

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated this initiative on January 22, 2015, in Haryana's Panipat district.
• Its primary objectives encompass tackling the decreasing child sex ratio and emphasizing the education and empowerment of girls.
• The Department of Women and Child Development serves as the governing body for this scheme.
• Sakshi Malik serves as the Brand Ambassador for the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

• Commencing in 2015 as a component of the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao Scheme, this initiative aims to rectify gender imbalances in society, favoring positive discrimination in support of the girl child.
• The scheme encourages parents to invest in their daughter's name, allowing the account's opening from birth until the girl reaches 10 years of age. Deposits range from a minimum of Rs. 250 per month to a maximum of Rs. 1.5 lakh per annum, accruing interest at a rate of 7.6%.
• Girls who turned 10 years old within a year before the scheme's notification are also eligible. Parents can deposit funds for a 15-year duration only.
• Depositors can withdraw 50% of the accumulated amount for the girl's marriage at 18 years or for her higher education.

SABLA Scheme (Rajiv Gandhi Scheme For Empowerment of Adolescent Girls)

• Launched by the Haryana Government on March 22, 2011, in six districts—Hisar, Ambala, Rohtak, Rewari, Yamunanagar, and Kaithal—this centrally sponsored scheme aims to empower adolescent girls.
• The primary objective revolves around strengthening the physical and mental well-being of girls aged 11 to 18 years, fostering their self-development.
• Encompassing girls within the 11-18 age bracket, the scheme focuses on providing training to enhance their nutritional and health status, raising awareness about Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) alongside family and child care, improving their home-based and vocational skills, and facilitating access to education and learning.

Ladli Social Security Allowance Scheme

• Initiated by the Government of Haryana on January 1, 2006, this scheme targets families with only girl child/children and one parent aged 45 years or older.
• It offers a monthly allowance of Rs. 1200 to either parent who has reached the age of 45 until they turn 60. Post turning 60, the parents become eligible for the Old Age Samman Allowance Scheme.

Ladli Scheme

• To combat female foeticide and improve the sex ratio, the Department of Women and Child Development in Haryana introduced the 'Ladli Scheme' on August 15, 2005.
• Specifically designed for parents with two daughters, this scheme offers an annual incentive of Rs. 5000 for a duration of 5 years to those parents whose second daughter is born on or after August 20, 2005.

Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls

• The Government of India launched a pilot program in the year 2005-06, selecting Ambala and Yamunanagar districts in Haryana for implementation.
• Within this initiative, all adolescent girls aged 11-19 received a monthly allotment of 6 kilograms of wheat for three consecutive months through the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Devi Rupak Yojana

• Initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Haryana on September 25, 2002.
• The primary objectives of this scheme are to curb population growth, eradicate gender discrimination, and counter the declining trend in the male and female sex ratios within the state.

Swayam Sidha Scheme

• Initiated in 2001, this scheme focuses on promoting women's empowerment.
• It operates as a Self Help Group-centric program and commenced in six districts of Haryana, encompassing 16 blocks.
• Both the Indian and State Governments collaborate in its implementation.
• Specifically designed for couples opting for the terminal method of family planning, its goal is to stabilize the state population.

Apni Beti Apna Dhan Yojana

• Implemented through rural area anganwadi centers by the State Government, this scheme has a specific aim to enhance the health status of women and children. It provides financial aid to mothers for nutrition purposes.
• Under this initiative, upon the birth of a girl child, the Government of Haryana grants Rs. 500 in cash to the girl's mother and also offers an Indra Vikas Patra worth Rs. 2500 in the girl's name.
• Upon reaching 18 years, the girl receives Rs. 25,000, and upon turning 22, she obtains Rs. 35,000 through this scheme.

Major Schemes Related to Social Justice and Empowerment

Many schemes have been started by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of Haryana, which are described as follows:

Teerth Darshan Scheme

• Initiated by the Haryana Tourism Department on April 1, 2017, this scheme facilitates government-funded travels across the country for senior citizens aged 60 and above, specifically those who are residents of Haryana.
• Under this program, the State Government covers 70% of the expenses for the journey. However, for senior citizens hailing from below poverty line families, the government bears the entire cost of the trip.
• This scheme offers access to over 400 destinations for the eligible senior citizens to visit.

Vidhur Pension Yojana

• In the Financial Budget of 2017-18, the Chief Minister of Haryana introduced a scheme tailored for widowers.
• It extends pension benefits to widowers who have lost their wives, regardless of the reason.
• The State Government, under this initiative, offers a monthly pension of Rs. 1600 to eligible widowers.
• With the implementation of this scheme, Haryana stands as the pioneer state in India to launch such a program dedicated to men in this context.

Old Age Samman Allowance Scheme

• The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment in Haryana introduced this scheme tailored for individuals aged 60 years and above.
• Eligibility encompasses families with an annual income below Rs. 2,00,000, encompassing elderly individuals aged 60 and above.
• Haryana stands as the pioneering state where widows, elderly individuals, and destitutes receive regular pensions on the 7th day of each month.
• Starting November 1, 2017, the monthly pension increased from Rs. 1600 to Rs. 1800, followed by another increment to Rs. 2000 from November 2018.

Widow Pension Scheme

• The Haryana State Government initiated this program to provide regular pensions to widows and destitute women aged 18 and above.
• Eligible women receive Rs. 1800 per month under this scheme, which was raised from Rs. 1400 to Rs. 1800 in November 2017.
• This pension is directed towards women lacking other financial support, with a personal income from all sources below Rs. 2 lakh.

Pension to Differently Abled Persons

• The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment in Haryana introduced this scheme.
• It offers a pension to individuals with a disability of 60% (previously 70%) and aged over 18.
• The scheme aims to foster self-dependence among differently-abled individuals by providing regular pensions. Initially set at Rs. 1600 per month, the pension increased to Rs. 2000 from November 1, 2018.

‘Thari Pension-Thare Pass’ Pension Scheme

• Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar initiated this scheme in Chandigarh on August 4, 2015, as a social security program.
• The scheme ensures that beneficiaries receive their pension directly in their bank accounts, eliminating any intermediary involvement.

State Samman Pension for Freedom Fighters

• This scheme grants pensions to freedom fighters and their widows. The State Government raised the amount from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000 per month on August 15, 2012.
• Additionally, it encompasses a fixed medical allowance of Rs. 750 per month for the beneficiaries.

Financial Assistance Scheme for Destitute Children

• Initiated by the state government starting from March 1, 2009.
• This scheme extends support to children whose parents have passed away, are serving life imprisonment, or have a 100% physical disability.
• Currently, destitute children under 21 years old receive financial assistance of Rs. 1000 as part of this scheme.

Financial Assistance Scheme for Children with Disabilities

• Introduced by the State Government during the 2008-09 period.
• The scheme encompasses mentally challenged children whose intellectual capacity is below 50 or whose disability level exceeds 60%. It also includes children whose mother's monthly income is below the minimum wage threshold.
• Since 2016, the State Government has been offering financial assistance of Rs. 1000 per month under this scheme.

Kinnar Bhatta Yojana

• Initiated by the State Government on June 1, 2006, this scheme caters to individuals above 18 years old certified as eunuchs by the civil surgeon.
• Initially, the scheme offered candidates Rs. 300 per month, but starting from 2018, the amount has been increased to Rs. 2200 per month for beneficiaries.