3.2.2015The postal department has set a target of opening one crore accounts by March-end under the small deposit scheme for the girl child launched by Prime MinisterNarendra Modi last week, telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said.
"The postal department, which has the most deeply penetrated network in the country, is now a part of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, launched by the PM last week at Panipat," Prasad told reporters.
Among the states, the department has set the highest target of 18 lakh girl child accounts for Uttar Pradesh, followed by Bihar at 12 lakh. The account, called Sukanya Samridhi, would fetch an interest rate of 9.1% annually and provide income tax rebate. It can be opened at any time from the birth of a girl child till she attains the age of 10.
Deposits can range from a minimum of Rs 1,000 to a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh during a financial year.
The government, while releasing the scheme, had said its primary purpose was to ensure equitable share of resources towards a girl child in order to offset the discrimination a large number of girl children face.
The account can be opened in any post office or an authorised branch of a commercial bank.
The account will be operative for 21 years from the date of opening or the marriage of the girl child after attaining 18 years of age. To meet the requirement of higher education expenses, partial withdrawal of 50% of the balance would be allowed after the girl child turns 18.
Source:-The Economic Times
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