Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Children who are eligible for assistance under Mission Vatsalya Scheme of the Government of India will no longer be provided assistance under Mukhyamantri Bal Aashirvaad Yojana of the state government. Madhya Pradesh government has decided to amend Bal Aashirvaad Yojana by deleting such provisions of the scheme that overlap with the sponsorship component of Mission Vatsalya.

A proposal to this effect will be put up by the Women and Child Development Department for consideration before the state cabinet soon. Mukhyamantri Bal Aashirvaad Yojana, launched in August 2022 is meant to provide monetary assistance for after-care of children of 18-plus years leaving Child Care Institutions (CCIs) to aid their rehabilitation.

Under the scheme, assistance is also provided to orphans below 18 years of age who are living with their guardians or relatives. The scheme is meant for both urban and rural areas. A month before the launch of the scheme, the Sponsorship Component of Mission Vatsalya of the Union Government was expanded to provide similar assistance.

Under this component, a monthly assistance of Rs 4k is provided for after-care as well as to orphaned children. The scope of Mission Vatsalya Sponsorship Scheme is, however, a bit wider than Bal Aashirvaad Yojana as it also provides financial support to families to help meet a child's medical, educational and developmental needs, including children living with extended families or biological relatives as well as to children in difficult circumstances, including those in conflict with the law.

Under the scheme, assistance is also provided to children whose parents are suffering from incurable diseases, HIV AIDS or are economically weak. The state government has decided to retain only those provisions of Aashirvaad Yojana, which do not overlap with Mission Vatsalya. ‘The objective is to avoid duplication and overlap,’ an official of the State Women and Child Development Department said.