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Haryana Launches 'Lado Sakhi Yojana' to Promote Girl Child Birth, Offers ₹1000 Incentive at Birth

In a significant move to improve the birth rate of girls and strengthen women-centric welfare schemes, the Haryana government has launched a new initiative — the Lado Sakhi Yojana. Announced by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini during the Teej Mahotsav in Ambala, the scheme precedes the much-awaited Lado Lakshmi Yojana and is aimed at reinforcing the "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaign across the state.

What is Lado Sakhi Yojana?

Under the Lado Sakhi Yojana, the Haryana government has assigned a key role to Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, and ANM nurses, who will now take active responsibility in monitoring and supporting pregnant women. These frontline health workers will be financially incentivized for their efforts — receiving ₹1000 for every girl child born under their care.

The scheme focuses on improving the gender ratio, offering both support and supervision to expecting mothers, and creating a more encouraging environment for the birth and upbringing of girl children. Every pregnant woman will be paired with a dedicated “Lado Sakhi” — a health worker who will assist her throughout the pregnancy.

Boost to Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Campaign

The Lado Sakhi Yojana is expected to significantly contribute to the ongoing Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao mission. The initiative recognizes and rewards health workers who support safe deliveries and girl child births, strengthening community-level engagement for the cause. This grassroots participation is expected to foster long-term attitudinal changes toward gender equity.

Incentives and Benefits Under the Scheme

• ₹1000 reward to health workers for each girl child born under their supervision.

• Personalized attention and care to each pregnant woman through a dedicated Lado Sakhi.

• Integration of the program with other women-centric welfare initiatives already running in the state.

Haryana Witnessing Positive Change in Gender Ratio

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini also highlighted the results of the government’s continuous efforts toward gender equity. In 2014, Haryana’s sex ratio stood at 871 girls per 1000 boys. As of now, the number has risen to 906, reflecting a noteworthy improvement.

The government has also established 131 Women Cultural Centers and launched the ‘Badhte Kadam: Digital Bal Program’ in Anganwadi centers, aiming to improve early childhood education and care. To encourage self-reliance among adolescent girls, the state distributed 10,000 'Do it Yourself' kits to female students, enabling them to acquire vocational skills at a young age.

What About the Lado Lakshmi Yojana?

While the Lado Sakhi Yojana has been launched, the Lado Lakshmi Yojana is also eagerly awaited by the people of Haryana. Under this scheme, the government plans to transfer ₹2100 per month to the accounts of approximately 50 lakh eligible women, especially those falling below the poverty line.

The official budget for the scheme has already been approved. Reports suggest that the program could be formally launched on 9th August 2025, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan. The eligibility criteria, including age limits and income thresholds, have been finalized, and only a formal announcement from the Chief Minister remains.

Conclusion

With the launch of Lado Sakhi Yojana, Haryana has taken another firm step toward supporting girl children and empowering women. By involving community health workers and providing monetary incentives, the state government is paving the way for a more inclusive and gender-balanced society. As these schemes roll out, they hold the promise of long-term social transformation, beginning with every girl child born in Haryana.