Question : Sukanya Samridhi Account

(a) whether the Government has launched a special deposit scheme viz. Sukanya Samridhi Account for girl child as part of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the salient features of the said scheme;
(c) the cost sharing pattern between the centre and the States under the said scheme along with the manner in which the amount deposited under the scheme is likely to be utilised for welfare of the girl child;
(d) whether the National Development Council has accorded its permission to transfer the said scheme to the States;
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with the time by which it is likely to be done; and
(f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for adequate publicity of the scheme and welfare of girl child across the country?

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

(a): As informed by the Department of Economic Affairs, the Government of India has notified a new small savings scheme viz. Sukanya Samriddhi Account on 2.12.2014 for marriage and education of girl child.

(b) & (c): The natural or legal guardian may open Sukanya Samriddhi account in the name of girl child from the birth of girl child till she attains the age of ten years and in the name of girl child, who had attained the age of ten years, one year prior to the commencement of these rules dated 2.12.2014. The account may be opened with an initial amount of Rs. 1000 (Rupees one thousand rupees). Deposit upto Rs 1,50,000 (Ruppes one lakh and fifty thousand) can be made in a financial year. The account may be transferred anywhere in India. Withdrawals from the account can be made for the purposes of higher education and marriage. Amount deposited under this scheme is exempted from Income Tax.

Sukanya Samriddhi Account scheme is run by Union Government through Post Offices and authorised branches of commercial banks. Central Government entirely bears operation/management costs of this scheme.

(d): No Madam.

(e): Does not arise.

(f): The Government has taken steps to popularise the scheme by carrying out publicity through print and electronic/Audio Visual media on all India basis.

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