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At newsx24, we believe in the power of education and the importance of empowering young girls to pursue their dreams and aspirations. One remarkable initiative that embodies this vision is the West Bengal Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme.
In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the details of this transformative scheme, its eligibility criteria, application process, benefits, and its profound impact on the lives of young girls in West Bengal.
West Bengal Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme
Scheme Overview
| Name of the Scheme | West Bengal Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme |
|---|---|
| Launched On | 1st October 2013 |
| Benefits | Financial assistance for education |
| Nodal Agency | Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal |
| Mode of Application | Through Application Form |
Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Residency | The girl should be a resident of West Bengal. |
| Age | The age of the girl should be between 13 to 19 years. |
| Education Level | The girl should be in class 8th or above (waived off if the girl has a disability). |
| Educational Institutions | The girl must be studying in a formal school, Madrassah, open school, college, open university, vocational training center, technical training center, industrial training center, or sports training center. |
| Marital Status | The girl should be unmarried. |
| Family Income | The annual family income of the girl should not exceed Rs. 1,20,000/-. |
| Family Income Waiver | Family income criteria waived off in specific cases such as disability, parental demise, or residing in a Government Juvenile Home. |
Documents Required
- Passport Size Photograph
- Birth Certificate
- Domicile of West Bengal
- Aadhar Card
- Bank Account Details
- Declaration of the girl’s unmarried status
- Certificate of enrollment from the educational institution
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
- Self-declared income certificate
Financial Assistance
| Financial Assistance | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual Scholarship | Rs. 1,000/- per year |
| One-time Grant | Rs. 25,000/- (for 18 to 19-year-olds who have passed the 12th or its equivalent examination) |
Application Process
- Obtain the Kanyashree Application Form from the educational institution where the girl is studying.
- Fill in all the necessary personal details as mentioned in the Application Form.
- Attach the required documents mentioned earlier with the Application Form, as applicable.
- Submit the Application Form to the competent authority for scrutiny.
- If the application is accepted, the financial assistance amount will be directly transferred to the girl’s bank account.
Key Features
- Girls can apply for the annual scholarship at the age of 13.
- Eligible girls can apply for the one-time grant between the ages of 18 to 19.
- Educational institutions are responsible for the renewal of applications annually.
- The District Magistrate of the district is the sanctioning officer of the Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme.
- Girls can track their application status through their Application Form ID or Kanyashree ID on the Kanyashree Portal.
Impact and Recognition
- Enrolled Applications: 2,75,21,588
- Sanctioned Applications: 2,71,33,582
- Unique Beneficiaries: 78,14,445
- Registered Institutions: 18,183
Awards and Recognitions:
- United Nations Public Service Award 2017
- Finalist in GEM-Tech Awards 2016 (ITU and UN Women)
- United Nations WSIS Prize 2016 Champion (e-Government Category)
- CSI-Nihilent Award, 2014-15
- Manthan Award for Digital Inclusion for Development (South Asia and Asia Pacific) 2014
Seeking Assistance and Grievance Resolution
- Girls can submit their grievances for the Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme through SMS.
- Check the application status through SMS.
Contact Information
- Helpline Number: 033 23373846, 09007462088
- Grievance Number: 09002481874
- Helpline Email: support.kanyashree@nic.in
- Address: Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal, Bikas Bhabhan, 10th Floor, DF Block, Sector 1, Salt Lake City, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700091.
Introduction to Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme
The Kanyashree Prakalpa Yojana is the flagship scheme of the Government of West Bengal, aimed at providing financial assistance to girls in the state. Launched on 1st October 2013, this Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme has been instrumental in promoting the education and financial empowerment of girls.
Objectives of the Scheme
The primary objectives of the Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme are as follows:
- Financial Empowerment: To provide financial assistance to girls to meet the expenses of their education.
- Reducing Early Marriages: To discourage early marriages among girls in West Bengal.
- Promoting Higher Education: To encourage girls to pursue higher education and increase the overall literacy rate among girls in the state.
Eligibility Criteria
To benefit from the Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme, a girl must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Residency: The girl should be a resident of West Bengal.
- Age: The age of the girl should be between 13 to 19 years.
- Education Level: The girl should be in class 8th or above (waived off if the girl has a disability).
- Educational Institutions: The girl must be studying in a formal school, Madrassah, open school, college, open university, vocational training center, technical training center, industrial training center, or sports training center.
- Marital Status: The girl should be unmarried.
- Family Income: The annual family income of the girl should not exceed Rs. 1,20,000/-.
The family income criteria are waived off in cases where the girl has a disability or if both of her parents are no longer alive, or if the girl is living in a Government Juvenile Home.
Documents Required
To apply for the Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme, the following documents are essential:
- Passport Size Photograph
- Birth Certificate
- Domicile of West Bengal
- Aadhar Card
- Bank Account Details
- Declaration of the girl’s unmarried status
- Certificate of enrollment from the educational institution
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
- Self-declared income certificate
Financial Assistance
Under the Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme, eligible girls receive the following financial assistance:
- Rs. 1,000/- per year for girl students in the age group of 13 to 18 years.
- A one-time grant of Rs. 25,000/- for girl students in the age group of 18 to 19 years who have passed the 12th or its equivalent examination.
Application Process
The only way to apply for the Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme is through the official application form. Here’s how you can apply:
- Obtain the Kanyashree Application Form from the educational institution where the girl is studying.
- Fill in all the necessary personal details as mentioned in the Application Form.
- Attach the required documents mentioned earlier with the Application Form, as applicable.
- Submit the Application Form to the competent authority for scrutiny.
- If the application is accepted, the financial assistance amount will be directly transferred to the girl’s bank account.
Key Features of the Scheme
- Girls can apply for the annual scholarship at the age of 13.
- Eligible girls can apply for the one-time grant between the ages of 18 to 19.
- Educational institutions are responsible for the renewal of applications annually.
- The District Magistrate of the district is the sanctioning officer of the Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme.
- Girls can track their application status through their Application Form ID or Kanyashree ID on the Kanyashree Portal.
Impact of Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme
As of 16th November 2022, the Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme has achieved remarkable milestones:
- Enrolled Applications: 2,75,21,588
- Sanctioned Applications: 2,71,33,582
- Unique Beneficiaries: 78,14,445
- Registered Institutions: 18,183
Moreover, the scheme has received prestigious awards, including the United Nations Public Service Award in 2017 and recognition in the GEM-Tech Awards 2016 organized by ITU and UN Women.
Seeking Assistance and Grievance Resolution
Girls can submit their grievances for the Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme through SMS. Additionally, they can check their application status through SMS.
Contact Information
For any queries or assistance, you can reach out to the West Bengal Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme Helpline:
- Helpline Number: 033 23373846, 09007462088
- Grievance Number: 09002481874
- Helpline Email: support.kanyashree@nic.in
You can also contact the Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal, at the following address:
Bikas Bhabhan, 10th Floor, DF Block, Sector 1, Salt Lake City, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700091.
Conclusion
The West Bengal Kanyashree Prakalpa Scheme is a shining example of how targeted financial assistance can empower girls to achieve their educational aspirations. At newsx24, we applaud this initiative and its contribution to the betterment of society by nurturing the future of our nation – our girls.