Mukhyamantri Palanhar Yojana

In a developing country like India, there is a need to intensify the efforts taken for the welfare of the children. It is of moral importance to understand the significance of investing in the Early Childhood Development (ECD) of the children as it has a direct effect on their overall development. But there aren’t any resources to support for the orphaned and the vulnerable children. For this reason, the Social Justice and Empowerment Department of the Rajasthan Government has launched the Mukhyamantri Palanhar Yojana for the uncared, unsheltered, uneducated orphans to maximise their future well-being.

Features of Mukhyamantri Palanhar Yojana

Orphan commonly refers to the child who lost both their parents to death, but different groups define it differently. Accordingly, any child who lost one parent or has been separated or abandoned permanently is also an orphan. For such orphans and vulnerable children, the Rajasthan Government offers financial assistance to their nearest relatives or any institutions for their upbringing, education, health and other essential needs.

As per the scheme, it is mandatory that such children are sent to the Anganwadi centres at the age of 2 to 6 years and must be sent to schools at the age of 6.

The monetary aid provided under this scheme is Rs.500 every month till the age of 5. After admission to a school, the offered grant raises to Rs.1,000 every month until the child attains the age of 18.  In addition to this, the Government provides an annual subsidy of Rs.2,000 per year (excluding the category of widow and marriage) for the cost of clothing, shoes, sweaters and other needed works.

Eligibility Criteria

The benefits of this scheme are applicable for children who fall under the following criteria:

• The child should be an orphan and more preference is for a girl child
• Children of those parents who are in jail sentenced with life imprisonment or the death penalty
• Child of a divorced or abandoned woman
• The scheme assists a widowed mother for a maximum of 3 children provided that the mother does not receive any other pension
• Desolated child due to its disability is eligible for the support
• A child suffering from leprosy can also avail the benefits of the scheme
• The benefits of the scheme are available for the child of AIDS victims
• The annual income ceiling of the companion family or the nearest relative family should be Rs.1.20 Lakhs
• The scheme does not apply for the child of the remarried widow

Documents Required

The following supportive documents are necessary along with the application form:

• Aadhaar card of the child
• Death certificate of the parents (if applicable)
• Copy of the sentence if imprisoned
• Copy of medical certificate from ARD centre if parents are AIDS victims
• Certificate of Disability (above 40 per cent)
• Income certificate of the companion family
• Domicile certificate of the adopting agent

Supportive Document

• The head of the companion family should submit a certificate of acceptance of the child for its upbringing.
• Proof certificate of the child studying in school on attaining the age of 6.
• Report for the acceptance of the assistance by the widows in urban or rural areas, whichever is applicable is necessary to attach.

The copy of the pdf document of the supportive documents is below for reference:

Application Process

The family or the institute responsible for the child that is eligible for the benefits of this scheme can apply to the Development Officer concerned in the rural area and to the Regional District Officer in the urban area. Such a person after receiving the application can verify and sanction the grant to the family.

The copy of the application form is below for reference: