Mukhyamantri Bal Ashirwad Yojana | 17 Sep 2022

Why In News?

• According to the information given by the Madhya Pradesh Public Relations Department on September 15, 2022, boys and girls above the age of 18 years who leave child care institutions should be restored in the society by providing financial and educational support (aftercare) and orphan children up to the age of 18 years, who are living with their relatives or guardians, 'Mukhyamantri Bal Ashirwad Yojana' has been started with the objective of providing financial assistance (sponsorship).

Key Points

• The Women and Child Development Department has been made the nodal department for the implementation of this scheme.
• In the context of aftercare, children residing in the child care institution for 5 years continuously including the year of birth will be eligible.
• Financial assistance in aftercare, internship, vocational training, time period fixed for education or till the age of 24 years, whichever is earlier.
• According to the qualifications of care leavers mentioned in the list received from the District Child Protection Officer, Women and Child Development Department by the Industries Department, industrial institutions / establishments / reputed institutions will be identified and provided employment as much as possible in the same institution by giving internship.
• During the internship period, financial assistance of Rs 5,000 per month will be given, which will be payable till the end of the internship period or one year, whichever is less. This assistance will not be for a period of more than one year in any case.
• Vocational training given in government institutions in polytechnic diploma, ITI, paramedical course, nursing, hotel management, tourism, Prime Minister and Chief Minister Skill Development etc. will be given free of cost by the concerned department.
• During the vocational training period, financial assistance of Rs 5,000 per month will be given, which will be payable till the end of the period of vocational training or two years whichever is less. But in no case will it be for a period of more than 2 years.
• Care leavers entering any government and non-government institutions on the basis of entrance examinations in NEET, JEE or CLAT will be given financial assistance of Rs 5,000 per month during the study period and the fees fixed by the Regulatory Commission for the course period will be borne by the state government.
• The category of care leavers and the financial assistance being given during the study period in each category will be determined by the state level committee constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.
• The sponsorship is for those children below the age of 18 years of the local resident family of Madhya Pradesh, whose parents have died and are living under the care of a relative or guardian and who are not eligible for the 'Chief Minister Covid-19 Bal Seva Yojana', such children will be eligible in the scheme.
• Each child found eligible under sponsorship will be given assistance of Rs 4,000 per month for a minimum of one year. This amount will be deposited in the joint account of the child and relative or guardian.
• If there is no improvement in the economic prosperity of the child or the family, it can be increased for a period of a minimum of one year, but in any case, the amount will not be payable after the age of maximum 18 years. The Ayushman card for each child will also be made by the health department.
• All the applications of the scheme will be available on Bal Ashirwad Portal www.scps.mp.gov.in. The application process will be free of cost. To take advantage of the scheme, the District Program Officer and District Child Protection Officer (Women and Child Development Department) can be contacted. All benefits will be given from the portal.