In India, especially in rural and labor-dominated communities, families often face economic and social challenges when it comes to raising and educating a girl child. Many families, particularly those engaged in unorganized labor like construction work, struggle to afford education, healthcare, and even marriage expenses of their daughters. To address these challenges, the Government of Gujarat has introduced welfare-oriented initiatives such as the Prasuti Sahay Yojana and the Mukhyamantri Bhagyalaxmi Bond Yojana.
Both schemes are aligned with the motto of “Dikri Vadhavo, Dikri Bhanavo” (Promote the birth of daughters, encourage their education). The main objective is to prevent female feticide, promote equality, improve the status of girls, and provide financial assistance to construction workers for their daughters’ future.
This article provides you with a complete and detailed explanation of both schemes, covering objectives, eligibility, benefits, documents required, application process, rules, and implementation.
Objective Of The Yojana
The primary aim of the Mukhyamantri Bhagyalaxmi Bond Yojana is:
- To prevent female feticide by creating awareness about the importance of the girl child.
- To support construction worker families who often struggle with financial instability.
- To ensure that daughters of construction laborers get access to education and financial support for marriage-related expenses.
- To give long-term savings to families so that they have financial security when the girl turns 18 years old.
The Prasuti Sahay Yojana complements this by providing support to women during childbirth and by promoting institutional deliveries, thus safeguarding both maternal and infant health.
Together, these schemes aim at the holistic development of girls by improving their health, education, and overall societal acceptance.
Eligibility Criteria
Not everyone is eligible to benefit from this scheme. The government has set specific eligibility requirements to ensure that the support reaches the targeted group of construction workers.
- Beneficiaries must be registered construction workers under the Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
- The scheme applies only in the case of a girl child’s birth.
- Application for the bond must be submitted within 12 months of the child’s birth.
- The benefit is applicable for up to the first two deliveries only.
- In case of more than two children, only one girl child from the first or second delivery is eligible.
- The girl child should be a resident of Gujarat and should be linked with valid documents like Aadhaar.
Financial Assistance Provided
Under the Mukhyamantri Bhagyalaxmi Bond Yojana, the government provides:
- A bond worth ₹25,000 in the name of the daughter of a registered construction worker.
- This bond can only be withdrawn once the girl turns 18 years old.
- The money serves as a financial backup for higher education, skill development, or marriage expenses.
This direct financial aid ensures that parents view the birth of a girl child as a blessing and are encouraged to support her education and overall growth.
Required Documents
Applicants need to submit a set of documents while applying for the scheme to verify eligibility:
- Copy of construction worker’s identity card issued by the Gujarat Welfare Board.
- Copy of the girl child’s birth certificate.
- Copy of the beneficiary’s Aadhaar card.
- Copy of the bond application form from the bank.
- First page of the bank passbook of the parent/guardian.
- Copy of ration card.
- Affidavit as per the prescribed format.
- Recent passport-size photographs of the applicant.
All documents must be accurate and genuine, as any discrepancies can lead to rejection of the application.
Application Procedure
The government has simplified the process of applying for this scheme:
- Parents/guardians of the girl child must submit the bond application form along with required documents.
- If the form is submitted physically, the District Project Manager will upload the details into the online system.
- After submission, the application is verified and approved by the District Inspector.
- The verified application is then forwarded to the State Project Manager at the head office.
- Finally, the application is reviewed and approved by the Government Labor Officer and the Member Secretary.
- Once approved, the Mukhyamantri Bhagyalaxmi Bond worth ₹25,000 is issued to the worker.
This structured step-by-step approval process ensures transparency and fairness in implementation.
Rules Of The Scheme
Certain rules and guidelines govern the functioning of this scheme:
- The application must be submitted within 12 months of the child’s birth.
- The benefit is limited to one girl child per delivery and a maximum of two deliveries.
- If a family already has two living daughters, they are not eligible for the scheme.
- The bond is issued only in the name of the daughter and is non-transferable.
- The bond can be withdrawn only when the daughter completes 18 years of age.
- If the family fails to submit required documents, their application may be rejected.
- District authorities have the responsibility to verify details and ensure no misuse of funds.
Implementation Process
The scheme follows a multi-level implementation process to ensure smooth delivery of benefits:
- Application is first submitted at the district level.
- Verification and approval take place at both district and state levels.
- Once approved, the bond certificate is issued to the beneficiary’s parents/guardians.
- The scheme is regularly monitored by the District Collector and higher authorities.
- Monthly reviews are conducted to track the number of beneficiaries and identify gaps.
This structured approach ensures that benefits are disbursed accurately and without delay.
Benefits Of The Scheme
The Prasuti Sahay Yojana and Mukhyamantri Bhagyalaxmi Bond Yojana provide several direct and indirect benefits:
- Financial security for families of construction workers.
- Encouragement of institutional deliveries to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
- Promotion of girl child education by providing funds that can be used after 18 years.
- Reduction in female feticide and gender discrimination.
- Creation of a positive mindset towards girl children in labor communities.
- Support for families who otherwise find it difficult to arrange money for higher education or marriage expenses.
- Transparency through online application and approval system.
Social Impact Of The Scheme
Over the years, the implementation of such welfare schemes has had a positive social impact:
- Parents are now more willing to accept and support daughters.
- The scheme has encouraged families to enroll their daughters in schools and continue education.
- By providing long-term financial support, the scheme has reduced child marriages.
- Awareness about healthcare during childbirth has increased due to Prasuti Sahay Yojana.
- Overall, these initiatives are contributing to improving the sex ratio and status of women in Gujarat.














