THE AIAIASP

Central government launches special deposit scheme for the girl child

To help channelise small savings, government has launched a special deposit scheme for girl child -- Sukanya Samriddhi Account-- which can be opened in banks and post offices and half of the funds can be withdrawn for her higher education and marriage.

While the scheme has been notified by the government, the special interest rate applicable to it would be determined later. Under the scheme, an account can be opened in the name of a girl child up to the age of 10 years.

The scheme would mature on completion of 21 years from the date of opening of the account, and deposits can be made till completion of 14 years. The account can be transferred anywhere in India if the girl child shifts to a place other than the city or locality where the account stands.

Further, 50% of the deposit could be withdrawn for the purpose of higher education and marriage of the girl child after she attains 18 years of age, said the notification.

"The account shall be opened and operated by the natural or legal guardian of a girl child till the girl child in whose name the account has been opened, attains the age of 10 years," it added. After attaining age of 10 years, the account holder can herself operate the account.

In the event of death of the account holder, the account would be closed immediately, and the balance at the credit of the account would be paid along with interest till the month preceding the month of premature closure of the account. The scheme is aimed at garnering small savings and channelising them for development of infrastructure.