ARAVANAIPPU

Description
The scheme "ARAVANAIPPU" is a financial assistance scheme by the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Puducherry. This scheme aims to improve the status of the girl child and provide nutritious food; financial assistance of ₹1200 is offered to lactating mothers. The girl child of the applicant should be born after 1-4-2005. This assistance is provided only for upto two girl children.

Benefits
• ₹1200 financial assistance to lactating mothers.
• *The selection is periodical and depends on the availability of funds.

Eligibility Criteria
1. - The applicant should be a citizen of India.
2. - The applicant should be a native of Puducherry by virtue of birth or continuous residence of not less than five years.
3. - The applicant should have an annual family income not exceeding ₹24,000.
4. - The applicant should be at least 18 years old.
5. - The girl child of the applicant should be born after 1-4-2005.
6. - The assistance is provided only for two girl children.

Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: The interested applicant should visit (during office hours) the Office/ Sub-Office of the Department of Women and Child Development, and request the hard copy of the prescribed format of the application form from the staff exclusively entr…
Offline
OR
The interested applicant should take print of the prescribed format of the application form.

Step 2: Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).
Offline
Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).

Step 3: Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to the Deputy Director (Women Development) or the Child Development Project Officer (depending on the location), at least 30 days before the proposed marriage date.
Offline
Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to the Deputy Director (Women Development) or the Child Development Project Officer (depending on the location), at least 30 days before the proposed marriage date.

Step 4: Step 4: Request a receipt or acknowledgment from the concerned authority to whom the application has been submitted. Ensure that the receipt contains essential details such as the date and time of submission, and a unique identification number (if…
Offline
Step 4: Request a receipt or acknowledgment from the concerned authority to whom the application has been submitted. Ensure that the receipt contains essential details such as the date and time of submission, and a unique identification number (if applicable).

Required Documents
• Aadhaar Card.
• Residence Certificate from the Revenue Department.
• Income Certificate from the Revenue Department.
• Voter ID Card.
• Passport-sized Photograph.
• Declaration/Undertaking (if any).
• Birth Certificate of the Girl Child.
• <br>
• In the absence of an Aadhaar Card; the applicant is required to provide his/her Aadhaar Enrolment ID along with ANY ONE of the following documents -
• Bank or Post Office Passbook with Photo.
• Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card.
• Passport.
• Ration Card.
• Voter Identity Card.
• MGNREGA Card.
• Kisan Photo Passbook.
• Driving license issued by the Licensing Authority under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988).
• Certificate of identity having a photo of such person issued by a Gazetted Officer or a Tehsildar on an official letterhead.
• Any other document as specified by the Department.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can individuals contact the relevant authorities for queries?
A: For queries, individuals can contact the Department of Women and Child Development at https://wcd.py.gov.in/contact-us.

Q: Is there a minimum residency requirement for the applicant in Puducherry?
A: Yes, the applicant should have continuous residence in Puducherry for not less than five years.

Q: Are there any exceptions to the annual family income criterion?
A: No, the annual family income should not exceed [?]24,000 for an applicant to be eligible.

Q: Can applicants appeal delays in regions other than Pondicherry?
A: Yes, applicants in Karaikal/Mahe/Yanam can contact the relevant Regional Administrator for grievance redressal.

Q: What happens if the girl child's birthdate falls before 1-4-2005?
A: The scheme applies only to girl children born after 1-4-2005; earlier births are not eligible.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of times financial assistance is provided?
A: Assistance is provided periodically, and the number of times depends on the availability of funds.

Q: Where can one raise concerns or seek assistance regarding delays?
A: In case of delays, contact the Director, Department of Women and Child Development, Sithankudi, Pondicherry, or the relevant Regional Administrator.

Q: What is the grievance redressal mechanism for the scheme?
A: For grievance redressal, visit https://wcd.py.gov.in/ta/central-public-grievance-redress-and-monitoring-system.

Q: What is the specified birthdate criterion for the girl child?
A: The girl child of the applicant should be born after 1-4-2005 to be eligible for assistance.

Q: Can non-residents of Puducherry avail of the scheme?
A: No, the applicant must be a native of Puducherry by birth or continuous residence of not less than five years.

Q: What is the income criterion for eligibility?
A: The applicant's annual family income should not exceed [?]24,000 to qualify for the scheme.

Q: What are the key benefits of the scheme?
A: Lactating mothers receive [?]1200 financial assistance, and the selection is periodical based on fund availability.

Q: Who administers the "ARAVANAIPPU" scheme?
A: The scheme is administered by the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Puducherry.