List of Schemes for Women/Girls Welfare by Tamil Nadu State Govt: Loan, Housing, Free Education (PDF)

Empowering girls and women is essential for the social and economic development of any society. In Tamil Nadu, the state government has launched various schemes to support their education, health, safety, and livelihood. These schemes aim to provide them with equal opportunities, rights, and dignity in all spheres of life. Some of the schemes for girls launched by the Tamil Nadu government are:

Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV)

• This scheme provides residential schools for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds in rural areas. The scheme covers girls from classes 6 to 8 and provides them with free education, boarding, lodging, uniforms, textbooks, and other facilities.

Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme

• This scheme offers financial assistance to families with one or two girl children. The scheme aims to prevent female foeticide and infanticide and to encourage the education and welfare of girl children.

Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Ninaivu Marriage Assistance Scheme

• This scheme provides financial assistance to poor women for their marriage. The scheme also provides incentives for women who have completed a degree or diploma course before marriage.

Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme

• This scheme provides cash assistance to pregnant women for their nutritional and medical needs. The scheme covers women from the below poverty line (BPL) families and those who have undergone sterilization.

Mahalir Thittam

• This scheme promotes the formation and development of self-help groups (SHGs) of women in rural and urban areas. The scheme provides training, credit linkage, marketing support, and other services to the SHGs for their income-generating activities.

These are some of the schemes for girls launched by the Tamil Nadu government. In this article, we will discuss each of these schemes in detail and explain how they have benefited the girls and women of Tamil Nadu.

1st Scheme in Detail: Girl Child Protection Scheme

The Girl Child Protection Scheme is a flagship scheme of the Tamil Nadu government that was launched in 1992. It provides financial assistance to families with one or two girl children and aims to prevent female infanticide and promote gender equality. The scheme has two components:

Single Girl Child Component

This component offers a fixed deposit of Rs. 50,000 to the family of a single girl child. The deposit matures when she attains 18 years of age and is eligible for marriage. She can withdraw the amount along with interest for her education or marriage expenses. To avail of this benefit, the family has to fulfill certain conditions, such as registering her birth, immunizing her, enrolling her in school, and not marrying her before 18 years of age.

Two Girl Children Component

This component offers a fixed deposit of Rs. 25,000 each to the families of two girl children. The deposits mature when they attain 18 years of age and are eligible for marriage. They can withdraw the amounts along with interest for their education or marriage expenses. To avail this benefit, the families have to fulfill certain conditions, such as registering their births, immunizing them, enrolling them in school, undergoing sterilization, and not marrying them before 18 years of age.

Benefits of the Scheme

The Girl Child Protection Scheme has been successful in reducing the gender gap in Tamil Nadu and improving the status of girls and women. According to the 2011 census, the sex ratio of Tamil Nadu was 996 females per 1000 males, which was higher than the national average of 943 females per 1000 males. The scheme has also increased the enrollment and retention of girls in schools and colleges, and reduced the incidence of child marriage and maternal mortality.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Girl Child Protection Scheme, the following criteria must be met:

• The person who is applying must belong to Tamil Nadu and have a valid ration card.
• The applicant must have one or two girl children only and no male child.
• The birth of the girl child or children must be registered within one year of birth.
• They must be immunized as per the schedule prescribed by the government.
• They must be enrolled in a government or government-aided school and attend regularly.
• The parents or guardians must not marry them before they attain 18 years of age.
• For the two girl children component, the parents or guardians must undergo sterilization within one year of birth of the second girl child.

Documents Required

The documents required for applying for the scheme are:

• Application form duly filled and signed by the applicant
• Ration card copy
• Birth certificate copy of the girl child or children
• Immunization certificate copy
• School admission certificate copy
• Sterilization certificate copy (for two girl children component only)

How to Apply

The application form can be obtained from the nearest Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centre or downloaded from https://www.tn.gov.in/icds/gcps.pdf. The completed application form along with the required documents must be submitted to the same ICDS centre within one year of birth. The ICDS centre will verify the documents and forward them to the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) for approval. The DSWO will sanction the fixed deposit amount and issue a passbook to the applicant. It will contain details such as name, address, date of birth, maturity date, amount, interest rate, etc. The passbook must be kept safely by the applicant until maturity.

2nd Scheme Details: Chief Minister’s Girl Child Education Scheme

The Chief Minister’s Girl Child Education Scheme is a scheme of the Tamil Nadu government that was launched in 2011. The scheme provides incentives to girls who complete class 10th and 12th and encourages them to pursue higher education. The scheme has two components:

Class 10th Incentive

This component offers a cash incentive of Rs. 3,000 to girls who pass class 10th with a minimum of 60% marks. The incentive is deposited in a bank account in the name of the girl and can be withdrawn after she completes class 12th. To avail this benefit, the girl must belong to a family with an annual income of less than Rs. 50,000 and must have studied in a government or government-aided school.

Class 12th Incentive

This component offers a cash incentive of Rs. 5,000 to girls who pass class 12th with a minimum of 60% marks. The incentive is deposited in a bank account in the name of the girl and can be withdrawn after she enrolls in a degree or diploma course in a recognized institution. To avail this benefit, the girl must belong to a family with an annual income of less than Rs. 50,000 and must have studied in a government or government-aided school.

The Chief Minister’s Girl Child Education Scheme has been effective in motivating girls to complete their secondary and higher secondary education and pursue higher studies. The scheme has also reduced the dropout rate and improved the performance of girls in exams. According to the Directorate of Government Examinations, Tamil Nadu, the pass percentage of girls in class 10th and 12th exams was higher than that of boys in 2020-21.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Chief Minister’s Girl Child Education Scheme, the following criteria must be met:

• The girl must be a resident of Tamil Nadu and have a valid Aadhaar card.
• The applicant must belong to a family with an annual income of less than Rs. 50,000 and have a valid income certificate.
• The interested girls who is applying must have passed class 10th or 12th with a minimum of 60% marks from a government or government-aided school.
• The girl must have enrolled in a degree or diploma course in a recognized institution after passing class 12th.

Documents Required

The documents required for applying for the scheme are:

• Application form duly filled and signed by the applicant
• Aadhaar card copy
• Income certificate copy
• Mark sheet copy of class 10th or 12th
• Bank account details
• Admission certificate copy of degree or diploma course (for class 12th incentive only)

How to Apply

The application form can be obtained from the headmaster or headmistress of the school where the girl studied or downloaded from https://cms.tn.gov.in/sites/default/files/schemes/education_0.pdf. The completed application form along with the required documents must be submitted to the same school within one month of passing class 10th or 12th. The school will verify the documents and forward them to the District Educational Officer (DEO) for approval. The DEO will sanction the cash incentive and deposit it in the bank account of the girl. The girl will receive an SMS alert when the amount is credited.

3rd Scheme Details: Chief Minister’s Ujjawala Scheme

The Chief Minister’s Ujjawala Scheme is a scheme of the Tamil Nadu government that was launched in 2015. The scheme provides assistance to women and girls who are victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation and helps them with rehabilitation, counseling, legal aid, and vocational training. The scheme has four components:

Prevention

• This component aims to prevent trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and girls by creating awareness, sensitizing stakeholders, strengthening community vigilance, and providing alternative livelihood options.

Rescue

• This component aims to rescue women and girls who are trapped in trafficking and sexual exploitation by conducting raids, rescue operations, and medical examinations.

Rehabilitation

• This component aims to rehabilitate women and girls who are rescued from trafficking and sexual exploitation by providing them with shelter, food, clothing, counseling, legal aid, and health care.

Reintegration

• This component aims to reintegrate women and girls who are rehabilitated from trafficking and sexual exploitation by providing them with vocational training, education, employment, and social support.

The Chief Minister’s Ujjawala Scheme has been instrumental in protecting the rights and dignity of women and girls who are victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation. The scheme has also empowered them to lead a dignified and productive life. According to the Department of Social Welfare, Tamil Nadu, the scheme has benefited more than 2,000 women and girls since its inception.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Chief Minister’s Ujjawala Scheme, the following criteria must be met:

• The woman or girl must be a victim of trafficking or sexual exploitation.
• The girl or woman must be a resident of Tamil Nadu or have been trafficked from or to Tamil Nadu.
• The woman or girl must be willing to avail the benefits of the scheme.

Documents Required

The documents required for applying for the scheme are:

• Application form duly filled and signed by the applicant
• Identity proof such as Aadhaar card, voter ID card, ration card, etc.
• Medical report from a government hospital
• FIR copy or court order (if available)

How to Apply

The application form can be obtained from the nearest District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) or downloaded from https://cms.tn.gov.in/sites/default/files/schemes/welfare_0.pdf. The completed application form along with the required documents must be submitted to the same DSWO. The DSWO will verify the documents and refer the applicant to a suitable shelter home or rehabilitation centre. The applicant will receive the benefits of the scheme as per her needs and preferences.

4th Scheme Details: Mahalir Thittam Scheme

Do you want to join hands with other women and start your own business? Do you want to learn new skills and earn more income? Do you want to have a voice and a choice in your family and society? If yes, then the Mahalir Thittam Scheme is for you!

The Mahalir Thittam Scheme is a wonderful scheme of the Tamil Nadu government that was launched in 1998. The scheme helps you to form self-help groups (SHGs) with other women in your area and provides you with various benefits. The scheme has three components:

Formation and Development of SHGs

This component helps you to form and develop SHGs with 12 to 20 women who have similar interests and needs. You and your group members save a fixed amount every month and lend it to each other for various purposes. You and your group can also get loans from banks and other financial institutions at low-interest rates. You and your group also get training, capacity building, and exposure visits to learn new things.

Economic Activities

This component helps you and your group to start economic activities for your livelihood enhancement. You and your group get skill development, technology transfer, product development, quality control, and market linkage to make your products or services better and sell them at good prices. You and your group also get subsidies, grants, and revolving funds to support your business.

Social Empowerment

This component helps you and your group to participate in social development and welfare activities. You and your group get involved in various schemes and programs of the government such as health, education, sanitation, environment, legal awareness, etc. You and your group also form federations and networks at various levels for collective action and advocacy.

The Mahalir Thittam Scheme has been very effective in improving your socio-economic status and enhancing your self-reliance and confidence. The scheme has also helped you to reduce poverty, unemployment, and gender discrimination. According to the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women (TNCDW), the scheme has covered more than 10 lakh SHGs with over 1.5 crore women members as of 2020-21.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Mahalir Thittam Scheme, you need to meet the following criteria:

• You must be a resident of Tamil Nadu and have a valid Aadhaar card.
• The applicant be between 18 and 60 years of age.
• The girl must belong to a poor or vulnerable family with an annual income of less than Rs. 1 lakh.
• The interested girl must not be a member of more than one SHG.

Documents Required

The documents required for applying for the scheme are:

• Application form duly filled and signed by you
• Aadhaar card copy
• Ration card copy
• Income certificate copy
• Bank account details

How to Apply

The application form can be obtained from the nearest Panchayat Level Federation (PLF) or Urban Local Body (ULB) or downloaded from https://www.tamilnadumahalir.org/application-forms/. The completed application form along with the required documents must be submitted to the same PLF or ULB. The PLF or ULB will verify the documents and enroll you in an existing or new SHG. You will receive the benefits of the scheme as per your SHG’s activities and performance.

Conclusion (Final Words)

This article covers some schemes for girls by the Tamil Nadu government. These schemes focus on education, empowerment and welfare. Some of the schemes are:

• Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV): This scheme provides residential schools for girls from disadvantaged groups. They can study from Class 6 to 12. It helps them to access quality education and overcome social barriers.
• Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme: This scheme gives financial assistance to families with one or two girl children. They adopt family planning methods. It helps them to meet the expenses of their education and marriage.
• Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Ninaivu Marriage Assistance Scheme: This scheme gives cash incentives and gold coins to girls who have completed Class 10 or 12 and are getting married. It helps them to reduce the burden of dowry and improve their social status.
• Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme: This scheme gives cash assistance to pregnant women who belong to poor families and undergo institutional delivery. It helps them to take care of their health and nutrition during pregnancy and postnatal period.
• Mahalir Thittam: This scheme empowers women through self-help groups and microfinance activities. It helps them to start income-generating enterprises and become financially independent.

These schemes show how the Tamil Nadu government is improving the lives of girls and women. They have various benefits, such as:

• Better education and career prospects
• More income and opportunities
• More choice and control over their lives
• More safety and respect
• Better health and happiness

Therefore, we urge you to spread awareness and support these initiatives that make a positive difference for girls and women in Tamil Nadu. Together, we can create a more equal and inclusive society for everyone.